The Kia Telluride is getting a lift.
The three-row SUV has been modified for use in the upcoming Rebelle Rally, an all-women off-road navigation challenge that covers a 1,600-mile route through the California and Nevada deserts.
Kia sent one of the Georgia-built Telluride X-Pro models to off-road parts and accessories specialist Baja Forged for the upgrades.
The X-Pro is the Telluride’s most rugged trim and already features 8.4 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires and a specially-tuned all-wheel-drive system from the factory.
Along with a new roof roof rack for gear, Baja Forged designed new high clearance bumpers and extra underbody protection.
It also gets 18-inch wheels shod in beefy BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires and an extra 1.5 inches of ground clearance.
The Telluride will be competing in the X-Cross class, which is for vehicles with full-time all-wheel-drive, rather than a two-speed transfer case. Kias have finished in the top 5 of the class for three years in a row.
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Verena Mei will be driving the vehicle with Susie Saxten as her navigator when the 10-day event kicks off on October 12.