Mercedes Lilienthal is an Oregon-based automotive journalist and PR/marketing consultant who specializes in all things related to vehicular adventure travel, the auto industry, and women within it. She is the Editor-At-Large of TREAD Magazine, Feature Editor at Toyota Cruisers & Trucks, and contributor for several outlets like The New York Times, Car and Driver, Forbes, Autoblog, and more.
Mercedes has extensively covered the Rebelle Rally—as a driver and a journalist. She is one of a few competitors who has participated in both 4×4 and X-Cross classes. Last year, her team made history as the first crossover EV to finish the Rebelle Rally, as well as one of the first teams in the world to finish a major competition in a full EV crossover, too.
Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emily Winslow is a project manager with an adventurous spirit. She currently lives in Puyallup, WA with her husband and three cats. Emily is a manager who specializes in first responder pre-employment testing. She keeps testing available and safe, she assists fire and police departments across North America find new personnel. Emily enjoys solving challenges that arise each day by thinking about all sides of the issue and creating unique solutions—a key trait for traditional navigation and rallying.
Emily competed in the Rebelle Rally three times. In 2018, she placed 2nd in the crossover class. In 2018 and 2019, she was the navigator of Team Naviguessers (in her own Subaru Crosstrek). In 2021, Winslow navigated the aforementioned ID.4 all-electric vehicle for Volkswagen of America. Additionally, her husband and her nabbed 1st place Novice in the Northwest Rally Council Friday Nighter TSD season.
The love of rallying and manual transmissions brought us together, but Volkswagen of America and a common love for adventurous challenges solidified our partnership as a team. Well, that and Cheez-Its!
Jeep
Journalist and PR/Marketing Consultant
Portland, Oregon
You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.
I'm a dual-citizen German American with parents that emigrated from Germany in the late '60s without knowing a word of English.
Because Jeep! And, because of my awesome navigator Emily Winslow! If you push your boundaries, you'll learn more about yourself and become more confident. It'll help you through the twisting, winding road called life.
Those around me who tackle challenges head on, with grace, determination, positivity, and patience.
Podcasts: Femcanic Garage Podcast, Off Road Podcast, Car’s Yeah
Rallying our 1991 right-hand-drive Mitsubishi diesel-powered Pajero 4x4 for the winter 2020 Alcan 5000 Rally. I competed with my husband, Andy, and completed the endurance rally successfully and mechanically sound, including all optional extreme control routes. We endured over 5,000 and 10 days of ice and snow-covered roads, temperatures of -43 and below, blizzard conditions, hazardous road conditions, almost hitting a wolf, ditch diving, recovering other vehicles, and sleep deprivation. We'd do it again in a heartbeat!
2018 as a privateer and in 2021 in a full EV with VW of America
First all-electric crossover to compete/finish Rebelle Rally (2021)
Project Manager
Puyallup, Washington
The song and the silence in the heart, that in part are prophecies, and in part are longings wild and vain. - Longfellow
I recently joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and I know how to Fence.
Because every time I say yes to doing it, even though my nervous system is yelling to say no, I find more hidden confidence in myself and more respect for the women around me and the earth we are on.
People who do things that they are terrified of. I am also inspired to be like my parents who are generous and adventurous and don't take things too seriously.
Podcast: Armchair Expert & Smartless
Books: The Mrs. Pollifax Series
Shows: Bob’s Burgers & Brooklyn 99
Past Rebelles 🙂
2018, 2019, 2021
2nd place crossover in 2018, 1st place tire change 2018, Bone stock 2018, Electrified 2021
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