A groundbreaking new Trophy Truck has been unveiled by Honda Racing Corporation USA, marking the first hybrid-powered entry into the top class of the SCORE World Desert Championship. The Passport Baja Spec produces more than 1,300 horsepower and is engineered with the explicit goal of securing an overall victory at the 2027 Baja 1000, which will celebrate the race’s 60th anniversary.
At the core of the machine is a mid-mounted 2.4-liter twin-turbocharged all-aluminum V6 derived from the power unit in the Acura ARX-06 GTP prototype, a proven winner at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. This race-bred engine is paired with a bespoke 800-volt hybrid-electric system developed entirely in-house by HRC US engineers in Southern California. The lightweight battery pack features Formula 1-style pouch cells housed in a carbon-fiber case and is assembled in a newly built clean room at HRC’s Santa Clarita headquarters. Combined output exceeds that of the large naturally aspirated 9-liter V8s traditionally used in premier Trophy Trucks.
Power is delivered through a Mason Motorsports Masomatic twin-angled-drive five-speed transmission mounted ahead of the engine. The all-wheel-drive system routes torque via dual rear driveshafts to high-pinion bevel gears and front portal gear sets, maximizing ground clearance and strength. Advanced electronics include dual-axle brake-by-wire, adaptive traction control, and AI-managed power deployment, making the truck a software-defined vehicle that can be continuously tuned during competition.
The carbon-fiber body, shaped with extensive CFD analysis, incorporates deep side channels, cab tunneling, and aerodynamic fins to reduce drag and enhance high-speed stability. Fixed-mass components such as coolers, batteries, and fluid tanks are positioned rearward to optimize weight distribution and lower the center of gravity. A long-travel suspension with dual FOX Racing shocks at each corner and Toyo tires provide the necessary control across desert terrain. A 145-gallon carbon-Kevlar safety fuel cell sits centrally for consistent balance as fuel is consumed.
Two-time Baja 1000 winner Bryce Menzies will drive the truck in partnership with Menzies Motorsports. The Passport Baja Spec makes its public debut at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas before its competition debut at the 2027 Baja 500. Building on Honda’s record of 22 overall Baja 1000 motorcycle victories and 17 four-wheel class wins, the new hybrid Trophy Truck represents a bold technological leap into one of motorsport’s most demanding environments.
