Volkswagen has completed its inaugural entry in the Rebelle Rally, with driver Mercedes Lilienthal and navigator Emily Winslow running the modified Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro electric SUV through eight grueling days of off-road competition in the deserts of Nevada and California.
“We’re incredibly proud to have worked with Mercedes and Emily to demonstrate the capabilities of our all-electric ID.4 and to show that all the fun things we can do with cars will remain as we transition to electric,” said Kimberley Gardiner, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Volkswagen of America. “The Rebelle Rally offers a truly unique experience to highlight the awesome talents of women in motorsports. We couldn’t have asked for a better debut of the ID.4 AWD in this competition.”
The Rebelle Rally, now in its sixth year, is the first all-women rally raid event of its kind in the United States, challenging teams and vehicles across 1,400 miles through the deserts of Nevada and California. Pairs of drivers and navigators use their skills, including traditional map and compass navigation and limited supplies, to overcome challenges along the course from Las Vegas to the Imperial Sand Dunes in California, along trails that respect the desert environment.
Lilienthal and Winslow competed in the ID.4 AWD Pro in the X-Cross category. Tanner Foust Racing and Rhys Millen Racing modified the vehicle with new suspension components, tubular control arms, fabricated skid plates, battery protection and other items to fully equip the vehicle for the driving expedition.
“As the vehicle driver, the Volkswagen ID.4 surpassed my expectations when it came to its off-pavement performance. The all-wheel-drive ID.4’s driving dynamics, tight steering, and easy maneuverability made this SUV a pleasure to pilot,” said Mercedes Lilienthal.
With two electric motors on each axle, the production version of the ID.4 AWD offers instant torque and several drive modes to handle a variety of surfaces. Combined, the system produces 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 249 miles in the ID.4 AWD Pro trim.
“It was so fun to experience the Rebelle Rally in an electric vehicle,” said Emily Winslow. “We were challenged in ways that we haven’t experienced previously and I was super impressed with how the ID.4 handled the terrain.”
This marks the second successful off-road outing by an ID.4, after competing in the NORRA Mexican 1000 earlier this year. A production ID.4 1st Edition RWD vehicle was modified by Rhys Millen Racing and managed by Tanner Foust Racing, with Foust at the wheel, giving the duo great insight into getting the team and vehicle ready for the Rebelle Rally.
