In the mid-1980s, McLaren sought to surpass Renault’s dominant turbocharged V6 engine in Formula 1 by developing their own forced-induction V6. Partnering with Porsche and TAG, they produced a twin-turbocharged 1.5-litre V6, designed by the legendary engineer Hanz Mezger. This engine, capable of over 1,000hp, played a crucial role in McLaren drivers Niki Lauda and Alain Prost winning F1 titles in 1984, 1985, and 1986. To further develop the engine, McLaren installed it in a Porsche 930, which served as a test mule.
Today, Lanzante Motorsport, a British engineering firm, has sourced a handful of these original mid-80s F1 engines and announced the creation of a limited run of modernized versions of McLaren’s 930 test mule, known as the Lanzante Porsche TAG Turbo.
Lanzante Motorsport, founded by Paul Lanzante in the 1970s, is a Hampshire-based race and restoration shop with a significant history of accolades. These include assisting in the development of various track-focused McLaren models and achieving an outright win at Le Mans in 1995. The company, now led by Paul’s son Dean Lanzante, continues to push boundaries with projects like the Porsche TAG Turbo. The Lanzante Porsche TAG Turbo is a contemporary homage to McLaren’s F1-powered 930-based test mule used during the 1982 season. Each car, crafted to order, combines period-correct looks with modern components and carbon fibre elements. Limited to 14 units, each is powered by an actual ’80s era Formula 1 engine producing over 500hp.
Among the 14 units, a few will be what Lanzante calls the “Championship Edition.” These cars share most of the same hardware and upgrades as the standard TAG Turbo but feature a more stripped-down, track-focused setup and even more powerful engines. Only three Championship Edition cars are being built, one to celebrate each of McLaren’s consecutive F1 titles in 1984, 1985, and 1986. These will be the final three models in the TAG Turbo series.
The TAG Turbo series became possible after a chance encounter during Dean Lanzante’s visit to McLaren, where he acquired roughly a dozen of McLaren’s original TAG-Porsche engines from the 1984, 1985, and 1986 seasons. To modernise these twin-turbo V6s for road use, Lanzante collaborated with Cosworth, which detuned each engine to around 510hp and 310ft-lbs of torque. Despite this reduction from the original 1,000hp, the re-tuned engine allows the TAG Turbo to reach a top speed of about 200mph and achieve an estimated 0-60mph time of around 3.5 seconds, with a redline reduced to 9,000rpm.
The engine has been enhanced with modern upgrades, including new pistons, valve springs, and con-rods, and a custom-tuned Cosworth ECU. The 1.5-litre V6 is paired with a G50/20 six-speed manual transmission from a Porsche 993 RS and features a limited-slip differential, a front-mounted water-cooled radiator, and a custom exhaust with Inconel headers and a bespoke muffler. The car rides on 17” RUF wheels and is equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes by Surface Transforms and two-way adjustable Öhlins dampers at all four corners.
The interior of the TAG Turbo is custom yet period-correct, using hidden carbon fibre elements to reduce weight without compromising the vintage look. It includes custom-trimmed Recaro bucket seats, bespoke TAG-branded gauges, a custom Tilton pedal box, plastic windows, and a full roll-cage.
The TAG Turbo Champions Edition retains the original lines of the 930 test mule from 1982 but is constructed with modern carbon fibre, reducing the weight by about 200lbs. The carbon fibre weave is hidden under one of several bespoke livery options, each inspired by McLaren’s title-winning racers from 1984, 1985, and 1986.
Lanzante’s TAG Turbo is a bespoke creation built around a classic 930 platform and powered by an ultra-rare Formula 1 engine. It is one of the most remarkable restomods in recent years, shedding an impressive 440lbs from the original 930 to achieve a power-to-weight ratio comparable to modern supercars. With no power brakes or steering, it offers a completely analog, old-school driving experience. Some engines used in these cars come from particularly notable vehicles, such as the 1985 McLaren MP4/2B racer driven by Niki Lauda to victory at the French Grand Prix.
Surface Transforms plc (LON:SCE) is a manufacturer of next-generation carbon-ceramic brake discs for automotive and aircraft applications and has been certified to IS9001-2000 since 2008 and was certified to TS16949 automotive quality accreditation and AS9100C aerospace quality accreditation in 2015.
