Honda builds a 1,300 hp hybrid-powered Baja Trophy Truck

Honda has revealed a new hybrid-powered Passport Trophy Truck, due to compete in the SCORE World Desert Championship.

Developed by Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC) in Southern California, the Passport Baja Spec Trophy Truck will make its official debut at the 2026 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. 

The World Desert Championship incorporates four gruelling races through Mexico’s toughest off-road terrain, culminating in the legendary Baja 1,000.

Honda has won the Baja 1,000 a total of 22 times, making it the most successful auto manufacturer in the race, which will be 60 years old in 2027.

Race-winning hybrid technology

Powering the Honda Passport Baja Spec is a 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, combined with an advanced 800-volt hybrid electric system. 

HRC used knowledge gained from other forms of motorsport to develop the powertrain, including its highly successful IndyCar and IMSA programs. 

The Acura ARX-06 GTP prototype racer, which took victory for HRC in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring, provides the basis for the new V-6 engine. 

Working together, the twin-turbocharged V-6 and hybrid system generate more than 1,300 horsepower. This surpasses even the naturally aspirated 9.0-liter V-8 engines that typically power Trophy Trucks.

A bespoke Mason Motorsports-developed twin-angled drive five-speed transmission sends the power to all four wheels, with portal gears to maximize ground clearance.

Ready for the ultimate off-road test

Honda uses previous-generation Formula 1-style pouch battery cells to store the hybrid system’s electric power, with adaptive traction control and AI power deployment to manage it all. 

The Trophy Truck’s carbon fiber bodywork has been designed with high-speed stability in mind, and sits atop a bespoke Mason Motorsports chassis. 

Following its SEMA debut, the new Honda Passport will make its competition debut in June 2027, with two-time Baja 1,000 winner Bryce Menzies at the wheel.

“The Honda Passport Baja Spec represents HRC’s determination to push the boundaries of Baja desert racing, the ultimate test of off-road performance and durability,” said Kelvin Fu, president of Honda Racing Corporation USA. 

“We incorporated knowledge and technology from across global Honda racing programs to create the Honda Passport Baja Spec, a bold new approach to desert racing, and HRC is excited to show the world what it can do.”

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