Honda Racing Unleashes A 1,300+ HP Hybrid Passport Trophy Truck

You’re looking at the first hybrid vehicle to compete in Score World Desert Championship’s top Trophy Truck class,

Honda Racing

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) — 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.

Honda + Acura + Formula 1

Honda Racing

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.

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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.

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.

Aero chassis and gas

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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.

Underneath sits a modified version of Mason’s Gen 2 AWD chassis. Those modifications include an HRC-specific rear section to accommodate the hybrid hardware. A 145-gallon (549-liter) carbon-Kevlar fuel cell occupies the center of the cab to help keep the balance consistent as fuel burns off. Just for clarity, a gallon of gas weighs around 6.2 pounds. So when it’s full, it’s around 899 pounds heavier than when it’s empty. Batteries and other fixed-weight components sit toward the rear. Dual Fox shocks at each corner and Toyo tires round out the desert hardware.

The trophy truck will be on display at SEMA (November 3–6) alongside a Passport TrailSport Baja Chase truck. Its first scheduled race is the 2027 Baja 500 on June 2–6. After that comes an even bigger ambition. Specifically, an overall Baja 1000 win as the event celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2027. The horsepower is there. Now Honda has to prove the whole package can survive.

Honda Racing

Source: www.carscoops.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.