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On 30 October 2026, Honda Racing unveiled the Passport Baja Spec, an all-wheel-drive race car for desert competition. Its hybrid powertrain produces more than 1,300 hp, and beneath the body is a dedicated Trophy Truck chassis. Despite the familiar name, this is not a road-going Passport with reinforced suspension.
The two vehicles share the Honda Passport name and styling cues. Their engineering and purposes differ: one is designed for road and off-road travel, the other for high-speed racing over rough terrain.
Two Passports: a clear comparison
We compare it with the US-market 2026 Passport, whose name the racing project carries. Honda offers the road crossover with a petrol V6 and all-wheel drive. The Baja Spec uses a separate racing chassis and a hybrid powertrain. Road-car figures come from the US Honda Passport page; race-car details come from Honda Racing.
Specification | 2026 Honda Passport, US | Passport Baja Spec |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Road crossover with off-road capability | Trophy Truck race car |
Engine | Naturally aspirated 3.5-litre petrol V6 | 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 with hybrid system |
Power | 285 hp, US SAE rating | More than 1,300 hp combined, according to Honda |
Transmission | 10-speed automatic, i-VTM4 all-wheel drive | Five-speed Mason racing transmission, all-wheel drive |
Construction | Production crossover | Dedicated Mason Motorsports Gen 2 AWD chassis |
Power figures use US horsepower, as in Honda's materials. They show the scale of the difference but do not by themselves reveal how either vehicle behaves on the road or a race course.
Why the racing Passport uses a hybrid
At the heart of the Baja Spec is an aluminium 2.4-litre twin-turbo V6 mounted behind the cabin and based on the engine in the Acura ARX-06 endurance racing prototype. Honda Racing Corporation USA developed the engine and hybrid system for the new project.
The combustion engine and electric component together produce more than 1,300 hp. The system uses an 800-volt architecture and an HRC-developed battery pack. Honda says its pouch cells are similar to those used in the previous generation of Formula 1 systems.
Honda has not disclosed battery capacity, separate electric motor output or combined torque. Total power alone therefore cannot tell us how much propulsion comes from the electric component or how much energy the car can recover during a race.
What lies beneath the body
The carbon-fibre body resembles the production Passport, but underneath sits Mason Motorsports' Gen 2 AWD chassis. The partners developed a bespoke rear frame section to accommodate the engine and hybrid components. The Baja Spec was designed as a race car from the outset.
The five-speed Mason transmission sits in front of the engine. At the rear, torque passes through two drive shafts and separate gears at the wheels; at the front, portal gearsets are used in the hubs. Honda says the layout increases ground clearance and optimises driveline geometry.
The long-travel suspension has two FOX dampers at each wheel. Control electronics integrate the powertrain, chassis and energy management; the stated systems include electronic brake control on both axles and adaptive traction control. Racing will show how well the package performs over a full distance.
Why aerodynamics matter in the desert
On fast sections, traction on sand and rocks is only part of the challenge. Honda says it used computer airflow simulations to shape the body. Channels behind the front wheels guide airflow along the body, while ducts help cool the equipment. These measures aim to manage drag and high-speed stability; the project has no proven race results yet.
When will the Passport Baja Spec race?
The car's first public appearance is planned for SEMA in Las Vegas, on 3–6 November 2026. Bryce Menzies, a two-time Baja 1000 winner, will drive the racing Passport. HRC says it aims to compete for the overall win in that event.
Its competition debut is planned for the Baja 500 in Ensenada in June 2027. According to organiser SCORE International's calendar, the event runs from 2 to 6 June, with the race scheduled to start on 5 June. The schedule may change before the event.
Has Honda won at Baja before?
Yes, but the classifications should not be confused. Honda reports 22 overall Baja 1000 wins on motorcycles. Separately, its automotive off-road programme has collected 17 class wins since 2015. The Baja Spec aims to compete for the overall automotive result; the earlier motorcycle wins are not four-wheel wins.
At its unveiling, the Baja Spec is a confirmed racing project with an announced schedule, not a new Passport for sale. Its first race will show how the hybrid powertrain and dedicated chassis cope with Baja conditions.
