Jeep Adds Upscale Trims: 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show

Just the Facts:

• Chrysler will show the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit and the Jeep Liberty Jet special editions at the L.A. auto show this week.
• Grand Cherokee Overland Summit is priced from $44,275 for the 4x2 version and $46,775 for the 4x4.
• The new models arrive at dealers next month.

LOS ANGELES — Chrysler's Jeep brand is adding two high-end models to its 2011 range. Debuting this week at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and heading next month to U.S. dealers are the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit and the Jeep Liberty Jet.

Priced from $44,275 for the 4x2 version and $46,775 for the 4x4, the Grand Cherokee Overland Summit is described by Chrysler as "the most luxurious, distinctive and comprehensively equipped Jeep vehicle ever produced."

The Grand Cherokee Overland Summit comes with a new Rugged Brown exterior paint scheme and is also available in Mineral Gray, White Gold and Black. To distinguish it from its more pedestrian siblings, the vehicle gets a fully chromed grille and foglamp bezels and 20-inch bright polished aluminum wheels.

The cockpit features Black Olive polished burl wood on the instrument panel and on the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The two-tone cabin mates a New Saddle upper with a Black lower, as well as saddle-colored heated and ventilated leather seats with perforated inserts, accent piping and unique stitching. Berber floor mats have Black and Chestnut accent binding.

Standard high-tech features on the Grand Cherokee Overland Summit include adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning, blind-spot monitoring and Rear Cross-Path Detection.

The new Jet appearance package is available on the 2011 Jeep Liberty Sport ($1,495) and Limited ($995). The package bundles 20-inch polished aluminum wheels with 245/50R20 all-season tires, chrome lower fascia opening, chrome body-side moldings, chrome roof rails and mirror caps and blacked-out headlamps. Exterior colors include Bright Silver, Dark Charcoal, Brilliant Black and Blackberry.

A nine-speaker premium audio system, side curtain airbags, Park Sense rear park assist, heated leather seats, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel and one-touch up/down power windows are included in the package.

Inside Line says: How soon before we see a $50,000 Jeep? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent