Hennessey Has Stuffed A 1000bhp Hellcat Engine In The Jeep Gladiator

Although we’re rather keen on the idea of the Jeep Gladiator, it doesn’t have anything particularly exciting going on in the engine department. Your only option right now is a 3.6-litre Pentastar V6, with a 3.0-litre diesel engine joining the range next year.

Worthy, sensible powerplants, but wouldn’t it be good if there was a silly V8 option? Hennessey clearly agrees. But the firm won’t just put any old eight-banger under the hood of the stretched Wrangler. Nope - the Texan tuner will - if asked nicely - fit a 6.2-litre Hellcat supercharged V8 in there for you. And tune it to nearly 1000bhp.

The name for the ultimate Gladiator? It’s called Maximus 1000It, obviously. Well played, Hennessey, well played.

Along with the engine, the conversion includes a stainless steel exhaust system, new suspension with a six-inch lift, redesigned front and rear bumpers, LED lights, and 20-inch Hennessey wheels shod in BF Goodrich KD all-terrain tyres. The cabin, meanwhile, is treated to upgraded leather upholstery with Maximus embroidered seats.

The Hennessey Maximus 1000 is not cheap, though - you’re looking at $200,000 in total, which is over four times the price of a standard Gladiator Rubicon.

Hennessey is only making 24 of them, though, so it shouldn’t have much trouble shifting them.