A new version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, called the Altitude, will go on sale in May. It features a monochromatic paint scheme – in a choice of Deep Cherry Red, Black or Bright White – along with distinctive 18-inch wheels with painted black spokes, leather upholstery and piano-black interior trim accents.
 
The Altitude is based on the four-door Wrangler Unlimited model, which is powered by Jeep’s 3.6-liter 280-horsepower Pentastar V6. It shares the interior redesign all 2012 Wrangler models underwent for the new model year, with a new instrument panel design, upgraded materials and revamped storage areas.

Just 4,500 Altitude models will be made, and they will carry a sticker price of $33,740.

The new Wrangler Unlimited Altitude will be featured in a series of television commercials, events and social media efforts surrounding the maker’s new partnership with USA Basketball, the organizing body that fields the United States’ Olympic basketball team. Jeep is now the “Official Vehicle of USA Basketball,” and it will vigorously promote the team, and its partnership, during the run-up to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Featured prominently in these efforts is the spokesman for the partnership, NBA star and 2008 USA Basketball team member Chris Paul.

Among the various activities that will take place over the next few months is a design contest in which visitors to Jeep’s new USA Basketball microsite (www.Jeep.com/USAB) can submit customization ideas for the new Wrangler Unlimited Altitude. The contest will run from May 21 to June 25. One design will be randomly chosen as the winner on June 25, and that design will be applied to a Jeep during a live customization session that’s part of a basketball-themed Ride & Drive event Jeep will hold in Washington D.C. in July. The design’s creator will also win a new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude.

You can follow all of Jeep’s USA Basketball activities on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.