Auburn
Hills, Mich., May 21, 2003 -The limited edition 2003
Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider model debuts
in July to coincide with the release of the new film "Lara
Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life." A customized
version of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is driven in the film
by virtual game heroine Lara Croft, played by Angelina
Jolie.
"The
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the most capable Jeep ever
built, so the heroic and extreme environment in which
Lara Croft uses her custom Wrangler Rubicon in Tomb Raider
is accurate," said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep,
Chrysler Group. "This is more than just a product
placement. We have created a 360-degree integrated marketing
campaign around the movie and the debut of the Wrangler
Rubicon Tomb Raider model."
Based on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon designed and created
specifically for the movie, the Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider
model highlights the unbeatable capability of the Wrangler
Rubicon in extreme conditions. Unique exterior features
on the Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider model are 16-inch Alcoa
forged aluminum wheels, Tomb Raider badging and a number
of Mopar accessories including a light bar, riveted fender
flares, tubular grille guard, diamond plate bumper guard,
rock rails, fog lamp and taillamp guards, black tubular
grille guard, fog lamps with brush guards, riveted fender
flares in graphite, aluminum diamond plate bumper guard
in black, black rock rails and taillamp guards.
Inside the Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider are unique Dark
Slate fabric seats with red accent stitching down the center,
silver surround instrument panel bezel, red seat belts
and a Tomb Raider badge with serial number. As with the
custom vehicle in the film, all Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider
models are offered in Bright Silver.
Intended to be a collector's vehicle, a limited edition
of just over 1,000 vehicles will be available beginning
in July at dealerships across the U.S. The base price of
the Wrangler Rubicon Tomb Raider is $28,815, including
destination.
The Chrysler Group's Jeep Design Studio team, in collaboration
with Kirk Petruccelli and Graham Kelly from the Paramount
Tomb Raider production team, designed and built the customized
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon featured in the film. The Jeep Design
Studio applied that same design theme from the custom Wrangler
Rubicon for the movie vehicle to this production model.
Under
the skin, the Tomb Raider model is based on the most
capable vehicle ever built -- Jeep
Wrangler Rubicon.
As all Wrangler Rubicon models, the Tomb Raider model features
Tru-Lok™ driver actuated front and rear locking differentials,
front and rear Dana model 44 axles, four-wheel disc brakes,
Rock-Trac™ 4:1 low range transfer case and maximum
traction reinforced 31-inch tall tires with a trail grabbing
tread pattern.
"In
the movie, this vehicle will be showcased in many rugged
and extreme situations, highlighting key strengths
of the brand in a new and exciting way," said Bell. "You'll
see the Jeep crossing harsh desert and jungle terrain without
any difficulty -- true Jeep capability."
To showcase Jeep vehicle capability and authenticity,
the brand is creating 30- and 60- second spots that feature
footage from the film as well as original footage in which
Jolie appears as Lara Croft. Print advertising will start
in mid-May for June issues, and TV advertising will air
on June 9.
The first Tomb Raider movie was a massive blockbuster,
grossing $47.7 million in the opening weekend, the biggest
opening ever for a film with a female star. Worldwide,
the film went on to make nearly $300 million in its theatrical
release. Lara Croft and Tomb Raider are Trademarks of Core
Design Ltd. The Cradle of Life is a Trademark of Paramount.