Hennessey unveils the first Maximus, a Gladiator-based extreme off-roader

In June this year, Hennessey announced an upcoming series of 24 engine-swapped Jeep Gladiator trucks (Hellcat V8, 1000hp / 745kW). The first one is now complete.

The pickup normally ships with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 under the hood, which the tuner unceremoniously cuts out in favor of a humongous 6.2-liter Hellcat mill. In turn, that mill undergoes the company’s signature HPE1000 treatment, which gives it a thousand horsepower at the wheels and as much as 1,264 Nm (932 lb-ft) of torque – 3.5 times the factory value.

As a result, the bulky off-road truck zaps from standstill to 97 km/h (60 mph) in mere 3.5 seconds. The kit includes a new fuel system, intercooler and exhaust, among other things.

The Maximus has a number of exterior traits that make it stand apart from the Jeep Gladiator, too: high-end wheels and tires, restyled bumpers, auxiliary lighting all around, and better running boards.

The cabin makes use of quality black leather adorned with red highlights and houses a commemorative plaque testifying to the exclusivity of the series.

Prices begin from U.S. $225,000.