Rivian is grabbing the news thanks to its Rebelle Rally efforts with the R1T. But the electric truck maker isn’t the only one running battery packs out in the desert. Mitsubishi has a team and it captured a podium spot in the X-Cross class at the 2020 Rebelle Rally. This marks the first time a plug-in hybrid has completed the event. Team Record the Journey secured 3rd place in a hotly contested group.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV served driver Kristie Levy and co-driver Rachel Ridenour well. They comprise team RTJ (no, not Run the Jewels – Killer Mike’s Grand National wouldn’t last long in the desert). Both are retired military veterans and both are more than up to the task. And apparently the Outlander is up to the task as well.

The X-Cross class is one of two classes in the rally. The other is for traditional 4x4s while the X-Cross is for two-wheel-drive vehicles or all-wheel-drive vehicles. Basically, you can’t have a transfer case in the X-Cr0ss group. The Outlander finished 3rd behind a 2021 Ford Bronco Sport, and a 2020 Kia Telluride. And it was truly a close race. The winning Bronco Sport scored 1098 points. Not far behind, the Telluride managed 1073, and the Outlander was third with 1034.  The points are calculated on how objectives and obstacles are handled over the course of the rally. The next closest competitor to these three managed 873 points. So the battle for the podium was focused on the Bronco, Telluride, and Outlander.

This is the first year the Rebelle Rally has created special slots for battery electric and PHEVs. The Rivian R1T did great in its 4×4 Class and the Outlander performed perfectly in the X-Cross segment. Everyone else was running pure gas (or diesel) entries, but perhaps that’s set to change. Team Record the Journey has shown that a PHEV, even saddled with the extra weight of a battery pack, can wind up with a podium finish.

And I’m happy to see any Mitsubishi SUV out there competing in motorsport. Well done, Mitsubishi and Team RTJ.