Kia America Enters the 2024 Rebelle Rally

When it comes to showing off what a car can do, the best way for an automaker to advertise their high-performance vehicles is with a race of rally. NASCAR is basically known for this, but there are plenty of other rally car races out there. One rally race in America is just a year shy of having a decade of history to celebrate – the one-of-a-kind, Rebelle Rally. Kia America entered the 2023 Rebelle Rally with the Telluride X-Pro and secured an award. Returning for 2024, a modified Kia Telluride X-Pro will be seeking redemption.

Going on for three years now, Kia America has entered the Rebelle Rally. The longest competition of its kind in the lower 48 states, the Rebelle Rally is a race that spans 1,500 miles, from Lake Tahoe to San Diego, and covers a rugged off-road course in the United States to test the mettle of any vehicle before ending in the sandy dunes of Glamis, CA. This can put some real stress on most vehicles, but to be able to even grab a podium place is impressive. Many other automakers will be entering Rebelle Rally 2024, and Kia America will be backing its team with professional rally driver Verena Mei (a 4-year veteran of the race), and seasoned driver and navigator Kendra Miller.

“The Telluride has consistently proven its capability by earning a spot on the podium every year it’s competed…Built collaboratively by our dedicated in-house engineers and BAJA FORGED, and backed by a skilled team behind the wheel, the Telluride X-Pro is set to prove once again that it’s a serious contender.” – Steve Center, COO and EVP, Kia America.

To battle through rocky terrain and sand, and maybe even some mud, the Kia Telluride X-Pro has been modified once again to strengthen its resolve. This comes with enhancements to its off-road capability, adding custom front- and rear bumpers to increase approach and departure angles. Equipped with skidplates and spotlights by Baja Designs mounted on a front bumper bar, the Telluride X-Pro will be riding on BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A K02 tires and 18-inch Method Rally Series wheels, plus a highly modified suspension. It’s been fine-tuned and upgraded for handling the rigorous 8-day challenge while also providing some level of comfort for the driver and navigator while climbing through tougher courses. Also adding to the off-road capability is a front suspension modified with an inverted-shaft long-travel McPherson strut system from KW Motorsports for a 2-inch increase in travel, and in the rear, KW Motorsports long travel inverted coilovers have been incorporated for an additional 1.5-inches of travel.

Let’s not forget to give credit where credit is due. The design for the Telluride X-Pro this year is the product of a partnership between Kia America and the renowned ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. Many of Kia Design Center America employees are alumni of the school, so it was only fitting to host it there. A select group of graphic design students was chosen to develop a unique livery for rally vehicles, and senior student Jaiwon Lee’s topographic map design was chosen for this year’s design.

Keep up with Kia America and the upcoming 2024 Rebelle Rally on Miami Lakes Automall social media. The Rebelle Rally starts October 10 and last until October 19. 2024.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Media