With the 2026 Baja 1000 taking place in Los Cabos, further south and hotter that time of year than the usual stops in Ensenada and La Paz, Team JAOS knows they can’t just run it back with their Lexus GX 500h in the exact same setup as last year’s race.

On February 27, the team hosted a 2025 Baja 1000 debrief event at Lexus CPO Takasaki. Besides recapping the race, the team also spoke about building upon the GX platform and what to account for in 2026.

In particular, the team will focus on continuing development of the 500h’s hybrid system as well as ways to account for the increased temperatures in Baja California Sur.

“The venue for this year’s race is Los Cabos, right by the equator,” started JAOS director Daijiro Akahoshi. “Since this is significantly hotter than the site used in 2025, the car will be exposed to high temperatures for extended periods, so countermeasures to address the heat will be needed.

“Additionally, with the help of Lexus, we plan to refine the vehicle ahead of the main event in November. Our goal is to build a car that more effectively harnesses the hybrid’s power, as well as reducing weight.”

JAOS and driver Tomonori Noto have competed at Baja since 2022. They switched from the LX 600 to the GX 550h in 2025 as part of Lexus’ desire to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Noto admitted at the debrief that he was unsure if the system would work out, but the 550h ultimately became the first production hybrid car to complete the Baja 1000 when it finished 82nd overall and second in Stock Full-Size in 2025.

“As I began to ‘talk’ to the car, I came to appreciate the hybrid’s advantages,” he explained. “I found out how the electric motor assistance helps make the throttle response feel linear, and how the engine’s lighter weight improved the front-to-rear balance for excellent off-road capability. We did have some mechanical issues toward the end of the race, but the hybrid itself was completely trouble-free. It turned out to be a very reliable powertrain.

“In hindsight, I feel like I owe it an apology for ever doubting it.”

JAOS has a three-year deal with Lexus to use the 550h, meaning 2026 is the midway point.

Featured image credit: JAOS / Lexus News