Jeep Wrangler Models Set High Altitude World Record

Two Jeep Wrangler Unlimited vehicles have recently set a world high altitude record when they climbed on to the Ojos del Salado located in the South American mountain range of Chile. The two vehicles climbed 6,646 meters (21,804 feet) above sea level, allowing them to set the record of the highest altitude ever reached by a four-wheeled vehicle.

"This was exactly the challenge to separate the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited from all other 4x4 vehicles. A climb like this in not just off-road, but extreme conditions, is a testament to the performance of the vehicle's powertrain, suspension and overall quality. We are very proud that the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was the first vehicle to be able to complete such a rigorous challenge, and believe that it really does set the vehicle apart from its competition." said George Murphy, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President of Global Marketing.

Led by German off road enthusiast Matthias Jeschke who had set the first High Altitude World Record in 2005 aboard a Toyota Land Cruiser, the team successfully made the highest altitude after a grueling week of expedition and navigation in Ojos del Salado. But the day before Matthias Jeschke and his team achieved their goal, Jeschke worried about the team's condition. He said: "The team is exhausted. For days we have spent very much time in high altitude. It was windy all the time, and there was sand everywhere which flew into your ears and into any little gap. Climbing was only possible by a supreme effort to the point of exhaustion. Working in the burning sun (which tans the face although it is ice-cold was) also really challenging. Thus, you can see it was time for one day off."

"However, I am worrying about two things: First, the glacier field. While walking on the field yesterday, I realized big rifts on the surface, rifts which cannot be crossed over just like that, because the cars would break in. I racked my brain for hours: What can be done and what is possible concerning the track? Finally I decided to take a pole construction which we are able to build together when required. Second, the weather. Since two days, we notice that the clouds above the Ojos are gathering sooner and sooner. In the beginning, the clouds covered the volcano from 5 pm onwards and now the scenario already starts at 10 am. The result for us is an icy cold around - 20 degrees Celsius, beginning already in the morning. Additionally, the Ojos was mostly snow-covered." he added.

After reaching 6,646 meters aboard the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, Matthias Jeschke, said that no other person will ever reach or even break his unbelievable altitude because he and his team already reached the top of the secondary summits of Ojos del Salado mountain. This accomplishment was certified by the Guinness World Records. Moreover, Chrysler Group said the toughness of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is unbeatable compared to DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes M-Class SUV models equipped with Mercedes turn signal lens on its Mercedes turn signal.