This 1,300-HP Honda Passport Is Built To Win The Baja 1000

Honda has turned its Passport into a 1,300-hp desert racer, and the goal is far bigger than making a splash at SEMA. The new Passport Baja Spec Trophy Truck is being built to compete in the Baja 1000, one of the toughest off-road races in the world. Developed with Mason Motorsports, it will make its public debut at the 2026 SEMA Show before entering competition in 2027.

Under the bodywork sits a twin-turbocharged 2.4-liter V6 paired with an 800-volt hybrid system. Together, they produce a claimed 1,300 hp, more than the typical 9.0-liter V8 engines found in Trophy Trucks. The V6 is closely related to the powerplant used in Acura's ARX-06 endurance racer, which has already scored victories at Daytona and Sebring.

The hybrid system is a major part of the project. Its battery uses Formula 1-inspired pouch cells housed in a carbon-fiber enclosure. Honda Racing has also developed brake-by-wire technology, adaptive traction control, and software that manages power delivery and energy use. The system can be adjusted during a race, allowing the team to adapt to changing conditions.

The engine sits behind the cockpit and connects to a Mason-developed five-speed transmission. Power goes to all four wheels through a specially designed drivetrain with portal gearsets. The truck also features a modified AWD chassis, dual Fox shocks at each corner, and Toyo tires. A 145-gallon carbon-Kevlar fuel tank helps provide the range needed for long desert stages.

Carbon-fiber body panels keep weight down, while specially shaped air channels help manage cooling. Despite carrying the Passport name, the connection to the production SUV is mostly limited to selected body sections.

Two-time Baja 1000 winner Bryce Menzies will drive the truck in the top Trophy Truck class, where Honda aims to become the first hybrid competitor. Its first scheduled race is the 2027 Baja 500, followed by the Baja 1000 in June.

Honda will display the racer at SEMA alongside a Passport TrailSport Baja Chase truck. The target is clear: Honda wants an overall Baja 1000 victory in the race's 60th anniversary year.