MINI USA officially kicked off its first-ever participation in the Rebelle Rally on Oct. 8, marking the competitive debut of the new 2027 MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, an adventure-focused variant created for greater capability and versatility, company officials said in a press release.
The eight-day rally will serve as a real-world proving ground for the new model as it takes on approximately 1,500 miles of rugged terrain across Nevada, California and Utah. MINI’s entry comes as part of the global introduction of the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, connecting the brand’s newest expression of adventure with a motorsport heritage built on challenging convention and succeeding where others might not expect it, the release noted.
Countryman Untamed Edition Specs: Lift, Towing & All-Terrain Tires
The MINI Countryman Untamed Edition expands the capability of the MINI Countryman with a more rugged design and enhanced all-terrain versatility. In the United States, the Untamed Edition is offered on the MINI Countryman S ALL4 and all-electric MINI Countryman SE ALL4, combining intelligent MINI ALL4 all-wheel drive with a suspension lift, specially developed all-terrain tires, exclusive 19-inch Untamed Edition wheels and a range of functional and design enhancements.
The suspension lift increases ground clearance by up to 0.74 inches (19 millimeters), depending on powertrain and market, while specially calibrated ABS, DSC and steering systems accommodate the revised suspension and all-terrain tire combination. In the U.S., the factory-installed trailer hitch provides a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, while roof load capacity reaches up to 165 pounds while driving and up to 661 pounds when stationary.
The Untamed Edition’s design features protective matte-black films, Dark Steel exterior accents, an edition-specific mountain logo and the new 19-inch Untamed Edition Spoke wheels, giving the Countryman a distinctive, functional character inspired by the outdoors, the company said.
MINI has also partnered with AUTOHOME to develop a dedicated roof tent and with HELINOX to create an exclusive camping collection, further expanding the Untamed Edition’s outdoor lifestyle offering.
“The Countryman has always been about giving people the freedom to go further, and with the Untamed Edition, we wanted that sense of adventure to be immediately visible,” said Holger Hampf, head of MINI Design. “From the rugged details and distinctive wheel design to the outdoor-inspired materials and colors, every element has a purpose. The result is a more adventure-oriented expression of the Countryman that still feels unmistakably MINI.”
MINI’s Rebelle Rally Team: Felicia Killman & Erika Ferrer
Behind the wheel of MINI’s inaugural Rebelle Rally entry is Felicia Killman of Lacey, Washington, an accomplished rally competitor and longtime MINI enthusiast. Killman competes in the American Rally Association, with experience at both the regional and national levels as a co-driver with grassroots rally team Lab Rat Garage, as well as at the national level navigating for the MINI JCW Rally Team.
Joining Killman in the navigator’s seat is Erika Ferrer, a member of the BMW Group Corporate Communications team in Mexico. Ferrer began her motorsport career managing championship rally teams before moving into competition as a co-driver, earning three consecutive regional rally co-driver championships in Mexico. She has also co-driven renowned rally champion Benito Guerra during La Carrera Panamericana.
“Being part of MINI’s first Rebelle Rally is an incredible opportunity, and now that we’re at the starting line, the excitement is real,” said Killman. “We’ve put in the work to prepare for the terrain, the navigation and everything the rally can throw at us. Erika and I know there will be challenges along the way, but that’s exactly what makes this experience so exciting. We’re ready to put the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition to the test and see where the adventure takes us.”
For Ferrer, the rally’s unique navigation requirements represent an equally important challenge.
“The Rebelle Rally is as much a test of judgment and teamwork as it is of the vehicle,” said Ferrer. “Out here, every decision matters, from choosing the right line to staying on course when the terrain doesn’t look anything like the map. Felicia and I have every confidence in the development and engineering behind the MINI Countryman Untamed. Its capabilities will be a major asset as we tackle low-grip surfaces, steep inclines and the dunes. I’m excited to put our preparation—and the vehicle’s capabilities—to the test when the rally begins.”
How Engineers & Aftermarket Partners Prepped the Rally Build
A dedicated BMW Group engineering team led by James Wallace, Dennis Heaphy and Eran Garma has prepared the MINI entry for the demands of the competition.
“For every bracket, every mount, every panel, we gave thought to what happens when it’s in such rigorous conditions 40 miles from pavement,” Wallace said. “That’s only something you can solve by testing, adjusting and testing again.”
The vehicle preparation has also been supported by a group of technical and outfitting partners, including Thule, MINI Tire Center, Pelican Cases, Morimoto Lighting, Heinlein Racing Development, Peak Design and GoPro, with MINI Motoring Protection providing funding support for travel, vehicle shipment, media support and campaign giveaways.
Countryman Untamed Edition U.S. Pricing & Availability
Production of the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition begins in November 2026 at BMW Group Plant Leipzig, with U.S. customer deliveries expected in early 2027.
In the United States, the 2027 MINI Countryman S ALL4 Untamed Edition will start at $43,900, while pricing for the MINI Countryman SE ALL4 Untamed Edition will be announced at a later date. Prices exclude destination and handling.