Three Jeep Wrangler 4xe Teams to Take On Grueling 2021 Rebelle Rally
Jeep tries to continue its tremendous success by entering three of its plug-in hybrid Wranglers in the 2021 Rebelle Rally.
This year, for the sixth consecutive year, the 2021 Rebelle Rally will put a host of all-woman teams to the ultimate test – covering 1,400 miles of some of the world’s toughest terrain in Nevada and California without the help of any sort of electronic devices like a GPS or cell phone – in a stock vehicle. Of those 18 teams, Jeep will be participating with three of its own factory-based teams, each of them competing in a new Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid.
The Wrangler 4xe has already proven itself to be an amazingly capable and more environmentally-friendly off-road machine, one capable of traveling up to 21 miles on electric power alone and returning 49 MPGe when using its 2.0-liter I-4 gas and twin electric motors in unison. “Not only is the Wrangler 4xe powerful, it’s also very versatile and efficient – all of these are critical attributes for success in the Rally,” said Nena Barlow of team No. 129. “With both electric and gas energy available, we won’t worry about range at all, even when I am gunning it in the dunes.”
For the 2021 Rebelle Rally, Jeep has assembled an experienced team of off-roaders, some of whom have already found tremendous success at the increasingly popular event. This includes Team 4xeVenture (#129), starring Barlow and Teralin Petereit. The two veteran competitors have racked up four class wins and seven podiums at the Rebelle Rally thus far.
Meanwhile, Team Jeep Thrills (#177) is a mother and daughter team consisting of Christine and Emily Benzie, who are participating in their fourth Rebelle Rally. Last year, they won the coveted bone stock award in a two-door Jeep Wrangler Willys, which is also Emily’s daily driver. New to the 2021 Rebelle Rally is team Asdzáá Skoden Rebelles (#160), and its members – Shandiina Peters and Racquel Black – are the first Navajo team to compete in the Rally.
This year, there are more than 100 Rebelles competing in the Rally, hailing from a grand total of five countries and 24 U.S. states. The 2021 Rebelle Rally kicked off on October 7 and runs through the 16th.
Photos: Jeep