MINI takes third in X-Cross class on its first Rebelle Rally entry

MINI finished third in the X-Cross class at the 2026 Rebelle Rally, its first appearance at the all-women's off-road navigation event, with driver Felicia Killman and navigator Erika Ferrer competing in the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition.

The pair also took Rookies of the Year honours in the class and the Challenge Accepted Award, presented by Stryten Energy and voted on by fellow competitors and event staff.

Eight days, 1,500 miles and no GPS

The rally ran over eight days and more than 1,500 miles of terrain across Nevada, California and Utah, with crews finding checkpoints using maps, a compass and a roadbook rather than GPS navigation.

Conditions in 2026 included temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit, storms, rain, river crossings, steep climbs and sand dunes, and in the final stages wind gusts of up to 50 mph blew sand across the course, creating whiteout conditions and sharply cutting visibility.

MINI says the event served as a demanding real-world proving ground for the Untamed Edition, which had been revealed to the world only days before the competition began.

What the Untamed Edition adds

MINI describes the Untamed Edition as bringing a more rugged, adventure-oriented character to the Countryman, combining distinctive styling with enhanced all-terrain versatility.

US models get MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive, a suspension lift, specially developed all-terrain tyres and exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels.

The company says those features support confident exploration beyond paved roads while preserving the model's driving character.

MINI has not announced a price for the Untamed Edition, the markets beyond the US specification described, or the engine and powertrain it uses; the rally release covers only the chassis and wheel hardware.

That gap matters for buyers weighing the Untamed Edition against a standard Countryman: the lifted suspension and all-terrain rubber are the substance of the package, and without power or drivetrain figures there is no way yet to judge how much of the Countryman's on-road behaviour has been traded for off-road ability.

Why a navigation rally suits an adventure trim

Unlike conventional motorsport, the Rebelle Rally does not reward outright speed; teams accumulate points by locating checkpoints through precise navigation, strategic decisions and teamwork.

For MINI, the value of the result is less about a podium and more about subjecting a showroom-bound special edition to desert trails, rocky climbs, sand washes and river crossings in public view.

The Challenge Accepted Award, decided by rivals and event staff rather than by the timing sheets, reflects how the crew conducted itself over the eight days.

MINI's first campaign produced a podium, a rookie title and a sportsmanship-style honour in one outing, a return that gives the brand a credible adventure narrative for the Untamed Edition without a factory racing programme behind it.

Cadillac has unveiled a Mexico-only limited edition of its Escalade-V honouring its Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez, with production capped at 11 vehicles to match his racing number. The Escalade-V Checo Perez Edition was revealed on October 19, 2026, and goes on sale at Mexican dealers from October 20.

Pricing is set at 4,099,000 Mexican pesos, roughly $222,500 at prevailing exchange rates. All 11 units are spoken for within Mexico, and Cadillac has not indicated that a second run or a US-market version is planned.

Mechanically unchanged from the standard Escalade-V

The tribute does not alter the drivetrain. It carries the same supercharged 6.2-litre V8 as the regular Escalade-V, producing 682 horsepower and 653 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The 0-60 mph time stays at 4.4 seconds.

Cadillac also left the V-Series chassis hardware intact: an active-valve exhaust, six-piston Brembo front brakes, an electronic limited-slip differential, Air Adaptive Ride Suspension, Magnetic Ride Control and V-Mode are all carried over. Buyers looking for extra output will not find it here, since nothing under the bonnet separates this edition from the vehicle already on sale.

Numbered plaques and signed details

The defining feature is literal: two numbered plaques, running from 1/11 through 11/11, reproduce Perez's own signature and are mounted on the B-pillar and centre console.

Elsewhere the changes are cosmetic. Cadillac blacked out the Escalade and V-Series badges, switched to monochrome Cadillac logos, fitted a carbon-fibre engine cover that remains visible rather than hidden, added sport pedals and programmed the mirrors to project V-Series graphics onto the pavement. Each buyer also receives an exclusive welcome kit.

V-Sport specification and colour choices

The edition is configured with the V-Sport package, which adds executive second-row seats with heating, ventilation, massage, folding trays and a rear command centre. Front seats also gain heating, ventilation and massage, backed by extensive active safety technology and two years of OnStar Premium with unlimited data.

Cadillac offers a mix of exterior configurations in white and black with contrasting interior tones that echo the colours it runs in its Formula 1 programme. The sources do not specify how many units are assigned to each colour combination.

Part of a wider F1-themed V-Series push

The Perez edition sits alongside other Formula 1-inspired V-Series models, including the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series, which features an upgraded supercharger, a six-speed manual transmission and performance suspension along with F1 branding throughout.

That contrast is worth noting for buyers: the CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series changes hardware, while the Escalade-V tribute is a cosmetic and trim exercise. The Escalade-V Checo Perez Edition is therefore a collector's item rather than a performance variant, and its appeal rests on scarcity and the driver's signature rather than on any mechanical upgrade.