Longtime Formula 1 fans would no doubt remember Porsche’s heyday as an engine supplier for McLaren in the 1980s. The 1.5 litre turbocharged V6, wearing TAG branding, was one of the most successful engines in the sport, securing three drivers’ championships, two constructors’ titles and 25 victories in the hands of Niki Lauda and Alain Prost between 1984 and 1987.
While all this was happening, McLaren also shoehorned one of those engines in the back of a 930 Porsche 911 Turbo as a one-off test mule. It became the centre of a longstanding rumour over the years, with the car only making a public appearance at the team’s headquarters in recent years, confirming its existence.
Now, the folks at Lanzante are about to turn this rolling myth into a reality for 11 prospective owners, as it embarks on a limited production run on the F1-engined 911. The British motorsports concern has had a long history with McLaren, running its F1 GTR racing effort in the mid-1990s – culminating in a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 – and turning the P1 GTR track car into an exclusive run of road cars.
The company showcased one of the “new” 911s at the Rennsport Reunion event at Laguna Seca last month, resplendent in white and wearing a subtle bodykit and RUF alloy wheels – exactly like the original. A bulging rear bonnet, underneath the prominent ducktail rear spoiler, hides massive twin intercoolers as well as a plaque claiming that this particular engine powered Lauda to victory in the 1984 British Grand Prix.
Lanzante says that it has been granted permission by McLaren to build these cars, and that each one will have proper racing history, just like this car. Although no other details were given, McLaren’s website claims that the TAG engines produced up to 800 hp in race trim – and reportedly over 1,000 hp in qualifying – so saying that this rear-engined F1-powered monster would be a handful is quite an understatement.
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I thought BMW had the most powerful engines then? But then, F1 had one engine for each practice session, one for quali and one for the race, though detuned. They sounded amazing and drove like an on/off switch. Good for Monza, bad for Monaco. So is it really reliable enough for road use?
800hp in a 70s 911 chassis. I hope that package includes 2 big titanium balls.
Ha ha ha …
that classic-era porsche is still the best 911 todate