What MINI announced
- Team
- MINI USA Rebelle Rally team
- Crew
- Felicia Killman and Erika Ferrer
- Route
- 1,500 miles of rugged western terrain
- Reveal
- Global reveal scheduled for fall 2026, days before the rally stages
- Model
- New model variant, still under wraps
MINI says its Rebelle Rally crew has completed training that included rocky ground, dunes and loose surfaces. Felicia Killman and Erika Ferrer also examined their prepared rally vehicle (opens in a new tab) ahead of the 1,500-mile competition through rugged terrain in the West.
MINI plans to unveil the model globally in fall 2026, days before competition begins. The entry will mark the brand's first appearance at the event.
Training covered map and compass navigation fundamentals, which matters because GPS is banned entirely during the rally. Ferrer described the navigation training as demanding. "This rugged looking SUV is impressive - I won't pretend otherwise - but the training that kept me up at night was mastering navigation. Reading terrain, trusting the compass over instinct when they disagree, knowing when to slow down and recheck a bearing. That's the real rally."
How the rally vehicle was built
The build was led by three BMW Group engineers: James Wallace, Dennis Heaphy and Eran Garma. Among the equipment contributions, DealerTire supplied tires for off-road use along with spares. Heinlein Racing Development engineered a protective skid plate and mounting hardware for the interior, while Morimoto Lighting added lights at the roof and grille.
What comes next
The global reveal of the new model variant is slated for fall 2026, days before the rally stages. MINI first announced its Rebelle Rally entry on July 29, 2026, describing the variant as an adventure-oriented expression of the brand (opens in a new tab).