The name itself was chosen by the brand's Name My Ride contest, the top pick of over 100,000 entries. Oddly, Altitude was also the name of a special-edition Saab 9-7X. We doubt the vultures picking over Saab's bones will raise their beaks to notice, however.
Regardless, the "blacked-out" models, as Jeep calls them, will pack a range of, well, blacked-out interior and exterior features for aspiring gangsta rappers, posers, and, naturally, soccer moms.
For the Grand Cherokee Altitude, that includes a black gloss grille, mesh grille in platinum chrome, platinum chrome lower bumper add-on, black headlight bezels, and a black liftgate bar. Twenty-inch black-gloss wheels ensure dub club membership. Inside, there are leather-trimmed heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, iPod/MP3 stereo, rear backup camera, and much more. Best of all, it's available in non-black colors--though the blacked-out accents remain. It starts from $35,595 in two-wheel drive, or $37,595 in 4x4 guise.
The Compass Altitude gets the same basic treatment, with grille, headlamps, roof rails, and step pad all getting the black look, with 18-inch black gloss wheels. The Patriot wears more bright chrome, on the other hand, with 17-inch black gloss wheels, bright chrome lower fascia and rear step pad covers, and bright polished roof rails.