Honda took the stage at the 2015 SEMA with the two-in-one unveiling of their Ridgeline Baja Race Truck. The model not only marks the return of the manufacturer in the Baja 1000 off-road racing circuit, but that also gives us a glimpse of what we can expect the upcoming second-generation of the 2017 Honda Ridgeline to be. 

Believe it or not, the same people who have been providing us with the reliable yet modest Civic also have an off-road racing legacy, with over two dozen victories at the SCORE Baja 1000, a frenzy of dirt roads and dust across Mexico, on the Baja California Peninsula. The Ridgeline Baja Race Truck introduced today is bound to compete in this year’s edition of the race, that usually takes place during the third week of November. The competition tube-frame truck will be powered by a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine rated at 550 hp. As for the body design, it was realized by Honda R&D, the same people in charge of developing the new-generation Ridgeline.

This off-road monster is also meant to introduce Honda’s design direction for their production pickup truck. The all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline is expected to be formally introduced sometime during the first half of 2016. The Ridgeline Baja Race Truck is one of ten modified vehicles introduced at this year’s SEMA, that also include a 2016 Pilot Elite Concept “Black Edition” and four new HR-V modified by different mod shops from the U.S.

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