Telluride X-Pro Gears up for Rebelle Rally

Kia America is bringing the Telluride back to the women-only Rebelle Rally off-road challenge. The vehicle will feature unique modifications to compete in this navigational challenge for the fourth consecutive year.

After its rally debut in 2020, the Telluride is back for more, this time in X-Pro guise. Driver Verena Mei and navigator Susie Saxten will be piloting the 2024 Telluride X-Pro across roughly 1,600 miles through the California and Nevada deserts.

The Telluride X-Pro being used in the event has been modified with an off-road treatment by BAJA FORGED1, which includes a custom roof rack and front and rear bumpers to increase approach and departure angles. Skid Plates help protect the Telluride’s undercarriage, while 18-inch KMC716 wheels are wrapped in BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A K02 tires. A 1.5-inch lift on top of the X-Pro’s increased ground clearance gives it nearly 10 inches of ground clearance to get through the rough terrain.  

“After a second-place win in the X-Cross class in its first year of competition, we are eager to see what more the Telluride X-Pro can do,” said Steven Center, COO and EVP, Kia America. “With BAJA FORGED modifications and a stellar team leading the way, we are confident the Telluride X-Pro will reach new heights of off-road capability and prove itself as a tough competitor once again.”

In 2020, the Telluride narrowly missed first place in the X-Cross class. In the years following, two 2022 Sorento PHEVs earned second- and third-place finishes, and last year, the 2023 Sportage X-Pro finished among the top five. Follow this year’s team on RebelleRally.com from Oct. 12-21.