’20 MITSUBISHI OVERLAND PHEV
Veteran and founder/CEO of Team Record The Journey Rachael Ridenour, partnered up with veteran Kristie Levy to pilot the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV in the Electrified Class. Ridenour’s organization helps military veterans and their families explore the outdoors via outdoor photography and adaptive recreation programming. They help veterans in many ways—like sponsoring Levy, an avid trail runner, camper, paddle boarder, hiker, and 25-year Army veteran—for the rally. She was a perfect match; they placed Third in the X-Cross class.
Why did you choose this vehicle for the Rebelle Rally? What was your inspiration to build it or pilot it for the event?
KRISTIE LEVY: I was blessed to have been chosen by Record The Journey, who is sponsored in this event by Mitsubishi. So though I did not have a say in the vehicle choice, I am so thankful to Mitsubishi for the opportunity.
RACHAEL RIDENOUR: The opportunity to do something that had never been done before was a huge incentive for Kristie and I. We knew that anything Mitsubishi provided us with would be more than up to the challenge.
What part(s) of the vehicle proved to be a success, exceeded your expectations, or surprised you in a good way?
KL: The instant torque from the electric motors was amazing and so strong.
RR: How the Outlander PHEV performed in the sand dunes. It is remarkably capable due to the balance and the position of the battery between the two axles. I've driven lots of
4x4 and crossover vehicles in the dunes of Glamis, and it is my favorite vehicle in the dunes to date.
Every vehicle has a purpose. What do you think your vehicle’s was as you completed the rally with it?
KL: The Outlander PHEV’s purpose in this event was to show the versatility and power and potential of hybrid/electric vehicles. It did great.
RR: We are primarily a photography-based non-profit and we tell people all the time that the smartphone in your pocket is a more capable camera than you think. The same holds true for the vehicle in your driveway. It's a lot more capable than people give it credit for, and we love being able to take it out into the dirt to prove that.
If you were to change anything about the vehicle, what would it be? Why?
KL: The gear shifter because it feels backward to me. You push the shifter forward to reverse and backward to drive. Not intuitive. And the radio controls are buttons for volume. I like a knob I can just reach over and turn. So, obviously nothing too egregious. Overall, it’s a very solid vehicle.
RR: It might show my age, but I wish there were an actual physical knob to turn the volume up and down on the radio.