You're looking at the first hybrid vehicle to compete in Score World Desert Championship's top Trophy Truck class,
๐ The Core Development
We already knew Honda was planning to make its Passport "more masculine," but we had no idea this midsize SUV could become an off-road beast. No, it may not be as cool as a Baja-ready classic Porsche 911 , but Honda gave this rig an engine derived from an endurance racing prototype with a total power output of 1,300 hp (969 kW) โ and its sights are set on an overall Baja 1000 victory. None of this is very shocking given that the truck comes from Honda Racing .
Honda's new Passport Baja Spec Trophy Truck will debut at the 2026 SEMA Show, and it was developed with Mason Motorsports. Menzies Motorsports is also a partner, and two-time Baja 1000 winner Bryce Menzies will drive it in Score World Desert Championship's top Trophy Truck class, where Honda says it will be the first hybrid vehicle to compete in this class. This isn't your mom's Passport, so let's talk a little about the racing technology under this trophy truck.
๐ Background & Sector Context
Today's Trophy Trucks leverage 9.0-liter V8s. Honda says that its 2.4-liter V6-based powertrain will make more power. The engine uses a pair of turbochargers and an 800-volt hybrid system to help it achieve its somewhat wild 1,300 hp figure. Interestingly, the V6 shares very close ties with the engine in Acura's ARX-06 GTP race car , giving it some endurance racing credentials, including victories at Daytona and Sebring. That said, surviving Baja will present a different set of challenges.
The hybrid system here is bespoke and a direct product of HRC's work. The battery uses a previous-generation Formula 1-style pouch cell inside a carbon fiber case. Assembly and validation all take place within a clean room at the brand's Santa Clarita headquarters. Of course, the battery is just one piece of the overall system.
๐ Industry & Real-World Impact
Honda says the truck also features brake-by-wire systems on each axle, adaptive traction control, and what it's calling AI power deployment. Proprietary software ties together the powertrain, chassis, and energy management, with adjustments possible during the race. Honda hasn't detailed the battery's capacity or how much power the electric side contributes.
Benchmark Telemetry & EV Fuel Savings
Put top supercars and EVs to the test in The Pit Stop Lab โ launch head-to-head 1/4-mile drag strip battles & compute EPA electric fuel cost savings.
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๐ฎ Strategic Outlook & What Lies Ahead
The rear-mounted engine mates to Mason-developed five-speed transmission, and the all-wheel drive setup uses two rear driveshafts, with individual angled gearsets at the rear wheels replacing a conventional ring-and-pinion arrangement. Up front, portal gearsets at the hubs help provide ground clearance. As the photos make clear, this isn't a simple build.
If there's anything here that hints at the production Passport outside of the name, it's very selective sections of the body. Each panel is carbon fiber to save weight. Deep channels behind the front wheels manage airflow, while high-mounted exhaust outlets sit among fins behind the cockpit. Honda also shaped the cab to channel air toward a cooler mounted low and far back in the truck.
