Outdoors

4X4 Gladiator is ready to head for the hills – or the beach

4X4 Gladiator is ready to head for the hills – or the beach
Indiegogo pledges for the 4X4 Gladiator start at US$4,200
Indiegogo pledges for the 4X4 Gladiator start at US$4,200
View 4 Images
A close look at the Gladiator's coil-over independent suspension
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A close look at the Gladiator's coil-over independent suspension
The Gladiator has a 44-inch (114-cm) wheelbase, 11 inches (30 cm) of ground clearance, and tips the scales at a claimed 231 lb (105 kg)
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The Gladiator has a 44-inch (114-cm) wheelbase, 11 inches (30 cm) of ground clearance, and tips the scales at a claimed 231 lb (105 kg)
The Gladiator is propelled by four 2-kilowatt hub motors – one in each of its wheels – for a total combined output of 8 kilowatts, or 16 kW peak
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The Gladiator is propelled by four 2-kilowatt hub motors – one in each of its wheels – for a total combined output of 8 kilowatts, or 16 kW peak
Indiegogo pledges for the 4X4 Gladiator start at US$4,200
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Indiegogo pledges for the 4X4 Gladiator start at US$4,200
View gallery - 4 images

There are quads, there are off-road scooters and skateboards … and then there's the 4X4 Gladiator. The go-anywhere electric vehicle is currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign, and it will certainly turn a few heads.

Looking a little like something that astronauts might use to explore Mars, the tubular-steel-frame Gladiator is made by off-road mobility startup Robo.Systems. Some readers may recall one of the company's previous offerings, the balloon-tired 2-wheel-drive electric Ultra Bike.

Like that bike, the Gladiator is designed for use on loose, uneven terrain. It's propelled by four 2-kilowatt hub motors – one in each of its wheels – for a total combined output of 8 kilowatts, or 16 kW peak. Those motors take the vehicle to a top speed of 30 mph (45 km/h).

The wheels are clad in 21-inch knobby pneumatic ATV tires, and each feature 300 mm of independent coil-over suspension. Power is provided by a 60V/2.4-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, one 4-hour charge of which should reportedly be good for a range of 65 miles (100 km). Hydraulic disc brakes on each wheel stop the thing.

A close look at the Gladiator's coil-over independent suspension
A close look at the Gladiator's coil-over independent suspension

The vehicle itself has a 44-inch (114-cm) wheelbase, 11 inches (30 cm) of ground clearance, and tips the scales at a claimed 231 lb (105 kg) – it can accommodate a maximum rider/cargo weight of 396 lb (180 kg). And yes, there is a removable seat, although the Gladiator appears to be aimed more at stand-up riding.

Some of its other features include an LCD control screen, a heavy-gauge steel skid plate, dual USB ports for powering electronic devices, plus a 650-lumen headlight and a 30-lumen tail/brake light (with turn indicators).

Assuming the 4X4 Gladiator reaches production, a pledge of US$4,200 will get you one – the planned retail price is $7,500. Prospective buyers might also want to check out the similar but faster, farther-ranging EZRaider, although at $19,200 it's much pricier.

The Gladiator can be seen in action, in the following video.

4x4 GLADIATOR Utility Electric Vehicle. Promo

Sources: Indiegogo, Robo.Systems

View gallery - 4 images
3 comments
3 comments
guzmanchinky
VERY cool, but where, if anywhere, will it be legal???
ljaques
Guz, it =should= be legal anywhere other atv/quads are allowed.
$4,200 isn't too bad, but this looks like something I'd like to build!
The $20k competition may sell very few of them.
WeiDalong
Similar to a turf chopper.