Following the positive reception of a concept model shown at the Houston Auto Show in January, Jeep announces the availability of a trio of special-edition models, the Grand Cherokee, Compass, and Patriot Altitude editions. The name for the special-edition models was selected from submissions made on Jeep's Facebook page. Altitude emerged as the winner after two weeks of online voting. Finalists included "Midnight" and "Obsidian." Mark Johnson of Sanger, California, submitted the winning name, and will receive a 2012 Grand Cherokee as a prize.
Grand Cherokee Altitude
The Grand Cherokee Altitude edition brings a hint of SRT style to the "regular" Grand Cherokee with a black gloss grille surround, a platinum chrome mesh grille pattern, and a platinum chrome lower fascia highlighting the changes up front. Black headlamp bezels, a black liftgate light bar, and black gloss 20-inch aluminum wheels round out the exterior changes. If the black theme is a little much for you, the Altitude edition is also available in Deep Cherry Red, Mineral Gray, Bright Silver Metallic, Maximum Steel Metallic, and Stone White, in addition to Brilliant Black.
On the inside, the Altitude edition includes standard leather-trimmed, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a 9-speaker sound system with iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear park-assist, keyless enter & go, and Chrysler's UConnect Bluetooth hands-free calling. Prices start at $36,520 for 4x2 models and $38,520 for 4x4 models, including destination. Jeep representatives confirmed the Grand Cherokee Altitude will be available with the Pentastar V-6 or the optional Hemi 5.7-liter V-8.
Compass Altitude
The Compass echoes the theme of its big brother with a black gloss finish around the grille and headlamps, and adds black roof rails and a step-pad. Wheels are 18-inch black gloss aluminum wheels on Firestone BSW all-season tires. The Compass Altitude is available with three powertrain configurations, including Freedom Drive I and II.
Additional standard equipment on the Compass Altitude includes heated exterior mirrors and front seats, remote start, a CVT automatic or five-speed manual transmission, and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Available colors are Deep Cherry Red, Black, Mineral Gray, and Bright White. Starting prices are $23,070 for two-wheel-drive models, and $24,820 for all-wheel-drive models, including destination.
Patriot Altitude
The Compass' boxier cousin features many of the same features, but substitutes polished chrome and steel for some of the styling flourishes. The lower fascia on the Patriot is bright chrome, as are the rear step pad appliques, with the roof rails getting a polished steel treatment. Wheels are 17-inch gloss black aluminum wheels on Firestone BSW all-season tires. Available colors are the same as the Compass. Prices for the Patriot Altitude start at $21,120 for the two-wheel-drive model, and $24,155 for the all-wheel-drive model.