The Jeep® brand has announced Jeep Trail Rated™, a new way to communicate to consumers the extensive level of off-road requirements that Jeep 4x4 vehicles are capable of.

"Jeep Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology to objectively measure and predict off-road performance," said Jeff Bell, Vice President Jeep, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "We created Jeep Trail Rated to communicate the legendary Jeep 4x4 capability."

Jeep Trail Rated is supported by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC), which has 45 years of off-road vehicle testing experience, including the creation of standards for the U.S. military.

The new Jeep "Trail Rated" badge indicates that Jeep 4x4s have been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories, including Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording.

"Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, as well as computer-simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable and consistent measurement of off-road performance," said Bell. "Trail Rated will help us ensure that our legendary 4x4 capability remains a cornerstone of the Jeep brand."

"The Jeep brand continues to deliver on the promise to provide rugged, versatile vehicles with authentic 4x4 capability," said Bell.