Jeep enters rarified air with 'Altitude' Limited Edition Grand Cherokee, Compass, Patriot Models

Anyone who knows about high altitude will understand why Jeep enthusiasts decided to name the new edition of blacked out 4X4’s ‘Altitude.’ Jeep is taking the all-new line to new heights and just introduced the limited edition will be offered on three models. The Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot will all get the new black treatment.

At the 2012 Houston Auto Show, during the debut of the Jeep Grand Cherokee concept, Jeep launched a contest called “Name My Ride”, to find the perfect name for Jeep’s latest edition models. The company was surprised when over 100,000 entries poured in from Jeep loyalists, with ‘Altitude’ chosen as the winning name.

“The fact that well over 100,000 consumers entered our ‘Name My Ride’ contest reinforces the passion behind the Jeep brand, and its position as one of the most recognizable and popular brands in the world,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The extraordinary response to both the concept and the contest resulted in an easy decision to produce ‘blacked-out’ editions of the Grand Cherokee and the Compass and Patriot. These new Jeep Altitude editions will clearly have a broad appeal among consumers, especially those looking for something distinctive, edgy, and just plain cool.”

The three limited editions of Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot, will all receive the special blacked-out look that is shown in the press release photo. Outside, the Grand Cherokee gets a black gloss surround grille with mesh grille texture in platinum chrome, a platinum chrome lower fascia applique, and black headlamp bezels finishes out the front end. If that isn’t enough black, it also gets 20-inch black gloss alloy wheels.

For the Compass, the Altitude edition blacks out the grille, headlamp bezels, roof rails, step pad and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior also gets the black treatment. The Patriot Altitude gets black 17-inch alloys and cabin but trades in most of the rest and gets more chrome and polished steel.

And if this is just too much black for you, Jeep plans to offer each model in other colors for the bodywork, in which case the black trim provides the contrast. They all come with optional extras as well, with prices starting at $20,240 for the Patriot Altitude edition, $22,190 for the Compass Altitude and $35,595 for the Grand Cherokee Altitude.

In 2011, Jeep sales were up 44 percent in the U.S. with each Jeep model up more than 30 percent, while industry sales rose just 11 percent. Jeep is hoping to keep riding high with these special-edition ‘Altitude’ versions of its lineup.

Limited-edition Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot Altitude models are expected to arrive in Jeep showrooms in May.