2023 Rubicon FarOut is the last Jeep Gladiator with EcoDiesel
Only 1,000 units of the 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon FarOut will be made
It is the end of an era as Jeep (and Ram) phase out the EcoDiesel engine for its entire truck line, but not without the pomp and circumstance that it deserves.
For Jeep, it means releasing a limited-edition model – only 1,000 units will be made – with all the bells and whistles of the famed off-roading marque, the 2023 Gladiator Rubicon FarOut.
“As the Jeep brand continues its drive to electrification, we are phasing out EcoDiesel technology with the final, limited-edition Gladiator Rubicon FarOut. Limited to 1,000 vehicles for the 2023 model year, the special-edition Gladiator Rubicon FarOut further builds on the industry’s only open-air pickup truck infused with Trail Rated capability and best-in-class truck utility,” said Jim Morrison, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America.
The EcoDiesel debuted in 2014 and has a three-liter displacement. It was first used by the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee and was known for its high torque and efficiency. Despite positive reviews and feedback from consumers, the engine faced regulatory issues in 2017 after facing allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act due to changes to vehicle software allowing excessive (and illegal) levels of nitrogen oxides into the air. The result was a settlement with vehicle owners ranging from $2,450 to $3,075.
In 2019, Fiat Chrysler rolled out the third and (last) generation EcoDiesel. It was completely redesigned with 80% of its parts being new, including a new turbocharger, new aluminum cylinder heads with revised intake ports, and an upgraded combustion system.
Jeep gives the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 a fitting goodbye with the 2023 Gladiator Rubicon FarOut. Aside from its best-in-class 600 Nm of torque, it gets front and rear third-generation Dana 44 heavy-duty axles, a 3.73 axle ratio, the Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, 17-inch low-gloss black polished aluminum wheels, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, and a steel front bumper. Two gearboxes are available, a six-speed manual transmission or the TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed automatic transmission. It also has the “Diesel 3.0L” hood graphic, the “3.0 D” tailgate badge, the “FarOut” tailgate badge, Mopar spray-in bedliner, black leather seats with red accents, and all-weather floor mats, among others.
In September 2022, the Jeep Wrangler also bid the Ecodiesel adieu with the FarOut Edition. The 2023 Gladiator Rubicon FarOut is the second model to give the EcoDiesel a send off, which makes it exciting to see what Ram will do. The truck maker announced that the 2023 model year units will be the last to have EcoDiesel as they make the transition to electric trucks.
