Mercedes Lilienthal on Muck Rack

Mercedes Lilienthal

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(She/Her)
Oregon
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Mercedes Lilienthal’s Biography

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Mercedes is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and content creator who specializes in a wide range of subjects, including adventure travel, gear, the automotive industry, and inspiring people within it. She and her husband have two customized right-hand-drive turbo-diesel 4x4 Mitsubishis: a 1994 Delica Space Gear (aka The Travel Tractor) and a gen 2 short-wheelbase Pajero (The Terra Tractor), as well as a modified 1998 Suzuki Jimny, and a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek daily driver. Mercedes, a …

Mercedes Lilienthal’s Journalist Portfolio

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The New York Times: Backyard Battalions

The New York Times: Backyard Battalions

Where do battle tanks and military trucks go when their service has ended? Enthusiasts and professionals put …

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The New York Times: Backyard Battalions

The New York Times: Backyard Battalions

Where do battle tanks and military trucks go when their service has ended? Enthusiasts and professionals put …

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We Tested the All-New 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness to See if it’s an Ideal AWD Overlander

We Tested the All-New 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness to See if it’s an Ideal AWD Overlander

Subaru’s latest Forester Wilderness promises serious off-road capability with 9.3 inches of ground clearance,…

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The Slow Way: Traversing the Entire East-to-West-Coast TransAmerica Trail Starting with the East

The Slow Way: Traversing the Entire East-to-West-Coast TransAmerica Trail Starting with the East

In a world demanding speed and efficiency, we chose the opposite path. Our 29-day, 7,163-mile TransAmerica Tr…

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Adventure-Ready 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Prepares for 5,388-Mile Alcan 5000 Rally Challenge

Adventure-Ready 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Prepares for 5,388-Mile Alcan 5000 Rally Challenge

We, husband and wife, (and fellow OVR Feature Editors), are tackling our fourth Alcan 5000 Rally this summer,…

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The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is Here: Is it All You Want in an AWD Adventure Rig?

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid is Here: Is it All You Want in an AWD Adventure Rig?

For nearly 30 years, the Subaru Forester SUV has been a mainstay for the auto manufacturer. Subaru introduced…

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Articles

The Warn R60-S Delivers Serious Pulling Power at a Price That Won’t Break the Bank

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By Andy Lilienthal Verified, Mercedes Lilienthal Verified
| OVRmag Verified
Warn’s most capable powersports winch yet, the R60-S delivers 6,000 lbs. of pulling power, solid construction, and brand-backed reliability — all for around $500. We strapped one to a JDM Suzuki Jimny to find out if this budget-friendly newcomer earns its place in the R-Series lineup. Tested: The Warn R60-S is a Potent, Compact, and Affordable Winch Winches are incredibly versatile tools, and even an expensive one can be cheap insurance when you’re stuck miles from civilization.
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From Vintage Subarus to Modified Lexus SUVs: 10 Standout Rigs from 2025 Overland Expo West in Flagstaff

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By Mercedes Lilienthal Verified
| OVRmag Verified
Overland Expo West in Flagstaff drew 28,500 attendees from every U.S. state and dozens of countries. The vehicles are always the stars of the show—the rigs that enable incredible adventures. Here are 10 builds that stood out at this year’s event. 10 Rad Rigs from 2026 Overland Expo West When it comes to overlanding shows, Overland Expo West is the original. Each year, the event, located at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff, AZ, brings in tens of thousands of attendees from all over the world.
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High School Students Partner with Rally Innovations to Build Modified 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness for Alcan 5000 Rally

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By Mercedes Lilienthal Verified
| OVRmag Verified
We’re tackling over 10,000 miles in three weeks with a specially built modified Subaru. This time, we’re enlisting the help of ZenSpeed GRP—a club for automotive enthusiasts at Valencia High School in Placentia, California—to build a customized 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness under the expert supervision of Rally Innovations in Anaheim, California.
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Awards

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2025 - SOCIAL MEDIA CATEGORY

First place: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal for our Baltic Sea Circle Rally coverage during the event, daily social media reels depicting the life of a rally team as we drive the only EV (a VW ID. Buzz van) across nearly 5,000 miles and nine countries around the Baltic Sea over a 16-day duration for the Baltic Sea Circle Rally, via our own outlet, Crankshaft Culture

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2025 - REVIEW CATEGORY

2nd place Review Category: comparison vehicle feature, "Real-Life Comparison: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV from North America vs. the 2024 ID. Buzz Pro German-Market Model" (via OVR Magazine)

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2025 - PHOTOGRAHY

2nd place Photography: "Waves Crash as San Francisco Greets the New 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz EV" (via OVR Magazine)

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ALCAN 5000 RALLY

2025 - 1st place 2 SOP Truck/SUV Class (plus 2nd overall and Arctic/Go Farther awards)

We were the 1st place 2S (SOP) Truck/SUV Class winner (plus 2nd overall of 17 vehicle teams) for the 2025 Alcan 5000 Rally piloting a 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport! Plus, we earned Arctic and Go Farther awards. We were the first journalist team, partnering with Honda Motor Co., to compete in and finish this 11-day, 5,500-mile summer road rally competition that spanned from Seattle-area north to the Yukon Territory's Arctic Circle, deep into Alaska, and back into Canada finishing at Williams Lake, British Columbia.

OUTDOOR WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA AWARD

2025 - Outdoor Photo/Artwork - Nature

2nd place Outdoor Photo/Artwork - Nature category: 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally INEOS Grenadier and mountains of Alaska

2025 THUNDERBIRD RALLY (CANADA)

2025 - 1st place Thunderbird Rally Calculator Class

My husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I won the Calculator Class driving our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek and won the 2025 Thunderbird Rally in Canada. This year's two-day extreme snow rally covered appr. 560 miles (910 km), 72 checkpoints, and eight different time-speed-distance regularities, with multiple hours in complete darkness in remote areas—all in British Columbia.

ALCAN 5000 RALLY

2024 - 1st place 2 SOP Truck/SUV Class (plus Arctic and Go Farther awards)

Out of 17 talented truck and SUV teams, my husband Andy Lilienthal and I came out on top piloting an INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster 4x4 and won the 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally 2S class. We led the truck/SUV class seven of the 10 days and came in 10th overall, out of 39 total teams. We also earned the rally's Arctic and Go Farther awards. This year's extreme endurance rally covered approximately 5,000 miles of snow- and ice-covered roads throughout Washington state, all over British Columbia, parts of Alberta and the Northwest Territories (to Yellowknife), over to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, then to Fairbanks, Alaska, an optional jaunt to Coldfoot above the Arctic Circle, a dip down to Valdez (after Thompson Pass reopened), then to its finish in Anchorage—all within 10 days. We partnered with INEOS Automotive for this event.

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VOLKSWAGEN'S BEST SHORT VIDEO FOR THE 2025 TAOS SUV FIRST-DRIVE EVENT IN SAN ANTONIO

2024 - Social Media

Volkswagen of America held a social media contest and selected one of my reel videos as the Best Short Video for the 2025 Taos SUV first-drive event in San Antonio.

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VOLKSWAGEN'S BEST SHORT VIDEO PICK FOR THE 2025 ID. BUZZ EV FIRST-DRIVE EVENT IN SAN FRANCISCO

2024 - Social Media

Volkswagen of America held a social media contest and selected one of my reel videos as the Best Short Video for the 2025 ID. Buzz EV first-drive event in San Francisco.

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2024 - FEATURE CATEGORY

1st place Feature Category: feature article, “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland Versus the Lilienthals” (Vicarious Magazine)

TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2024 - REVIEW CATEGORY

1st place Review Category: vehicle feature, “Ineos Grenadier at the 2024 Alcan 5000 Rally” (Hagerty Magazine)

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2024 - SOCIAL MEDIA CATEGORY

First place: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal for our Alcan 5000 Rally coverage during the event, competing with INEOS Automotive in their Grenadier 4x4 SUV and our class win, via our own outlet, Crankshaft Culture

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2024

Overall winner Texas Truck Invitational: “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland Versus the Lilienthals” (Vicarious Magazine print feature)

TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2024

1st place Texas Truck Invitational: “The Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland Versus the Lilienthals” (Vicarious Magazine print feature)

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2024 - PHOTOGRAPHY: ACTION

1st place Photography Action: “The 56th-Annual Baja 1000 Race: a Momentous Occasion of Epic Proportions” (OffRoad Xtreme)

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2024 - PHOTOGRAPHY: STATIC

2nd place Photography Static: “Mystery Glacier and RAV4 Rental Car” (Vicarious Magazine)

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A Girl's Guide to Cars

2024 - What Drives Her Awards finalist

Mercedes Lilienthal crafts immersive content, both written and photographic, that puts you there. She also continues to pave the way in the rally and outdoor enthusiast space.

TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2023 - Top Pick and overall winner

Top Pick and overall winner: Adventure Rigs Magazine (two-vehicle review) "His and Hers Mitsubishi Pajeros"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2023 - REVIEW CATEGORY

First place: Adventure Rigs Magazine two-vehicle review "His and Hers Mitsubishi Pajeros"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2023 - SOCIAL MEDIA CATEGORY

First place: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal for our Alcan 5000 Rally coverage during the event, competing with Subaru of America in their Outback Wilderness, via our own outlet, Crankshaft Culture

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2023 - FEATURE CATEGORY

First place: OffRoad Xtreme, "From The Driver’s Seat: 2022 Rebelle Rally – A Journey And Adventure"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2023 - REVIEW CATEGORY

Second place: OffRoad Xtreme, "First Drive: Production-Ready INEOS Grenadier 4×4"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2023 - FEATURE CATEGORY

Second place: The New York Times, "10 States, 2,400 Miles and More Than 100 Classic Cars"

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SEMA BUSINESSWOMEN’S NETWORK'S NEWEST #SHEISSEMA SPOTLIGHT MEMBER

2022 - She is SEMA Spotlight

Mercedes Lilienthal was recognized as a SEMA Businesswomen's Network (SBN)'s #SheisSEMA spotlight member (January 2022). SEMA Businesswomen's Network is part of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) organization.

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2022 - BEST OF THE YEAR FEATURE ARTICLE

Winner: New York Times, “10 States, 2,400 Miles and More Than 100 Classic Cars”

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2022 - REVIEW CATEGORY

First place: Tread Magazine, "Volkswagen ID.4 Tackles the Rebelle Rally"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2022 - FEATURE CATEGORY

Second place: Forbes, "Electric Realization: The Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Successfully Finishes The 2021 Rebelle Rally"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION TEXAS TRUCK INVITATIONAL

2022 - FEATURE CATEGORY

Third place: Forbes, "Electric Realization: The Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Successfully Finishes The 2021 Rebelle Rally"

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LINKEDIN NEWS EDITORS' PICKS

2021

2021 LinkedIn Editors' Picks for The New York Times: “Breaking the Garage’s Glass Ceiling”

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2021 - REVIEW CATEGORY

First place: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal, Tread Magazine, "Stars vs. Space: Dueling Delicas of the 1980s and 1990s"

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2021 - SOCIAL MEDIA CATEGORY

First place: Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal for our Alcan 5000 Rally and Mitsubishi Pajero one-year recap via our own outlet, Crankshaft Culture

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2021 - FEATURE CATEGORY

Third place: Tread Magazine, "Bad-Ass Bandoola: a 1953 Willys M38A1 Beast"

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2021 - BEST OF THE YEAR NEWS ARTICLE

Finalist: New York Times, “Breaking the Garage's Glass Ceiling”

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THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS' PICKS

2020

2020 New York Times Editors' Picks: “Life on the Road in Pandemic America”

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2020 - BOB D’OLIVO AWARD FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Winner: Mercedes Lilienthal for TREAD magazine, “Mitsubishi Delica right-hand-drive 4x4 van at Alabama Hills in California”

MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2020 - BEST OF THE YEAR NEWS ARTICLE

Winner: New York Times, “Life on the Road in Pandemic America”

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2020 - BEST OF THE YEAR NEWS ARTICLE

Finalist: Tread Magazine, “Jessi Combs, A Legend Lives On”

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2020 - BEST OF THE YEAR NEWS ARTICLE

Finalist: New York Times, “Driving Across the Globe to Fight Child Trafficking”

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MOTOR PRESS GUILD AWARDS

2020 - BEST OF THE YEAR SOCIAL MEDIA

Finalist: Crankshaft Culture

TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2020 - MAGAZINE WRITING

First place: Tread Magazine, “Jessi Combs, A Legend Lives On”

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2020 - NEWSPAPER WRITING

First place: New York Times, “Driving Across the Globe to Fight Child Trafficking”

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TEXAS AUTO WRITERS ASSOCIATION EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT COMPETITION

2020 - NEWSPAPER WRITING

Third place: New York Times, “Life on the Road in Pandemic America”

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