AUBURN HILLS, MI – Chrysler Group’s all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Unlimited have earned a trio of national awards within two weeks. On Oct. 31, 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine announced that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon ranked tops among eight competitors for “4x4 of the Year,” using a 1,000-mile test of each vehicle’s suspension, engine, transmission, and transfer case. Consideration was also given to style and creature comforts. This was the magazine’s 25th annual evaluation for “4x4 of the Year” and the 11th time that a Jeep vehicle won the award. On Nov. 1, Four Wheeler magazine named the Wrangler Rubicon winner of the “Four Wheeler of the Year” award for 2007, besting a field of seven new SUVs. The week-long competition incorporated a 1,000-mile test drive on city streets, gravel roads, desert dunes, and rocky trails at elevations ranging from sea level to 7,000 feet. Test criteria measured on- and off-road performance, interior refinements, safety features, and exterior fit and finish. The magazine’s Four Wheeler of the Year competition has been held annually since 1974. And, last week, Popular Science magazine named the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as one of only 10 automotive winners in the “Best of What’s New” for 2007. Every year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and technologies, narrowing its focus to the 100 most impressive advancements in 10 categories, including gadgets, computing, engineering, recreation, and automotive.