Unleashing the Beast: Lanzante's F1-Powered Porsche 911 Turbo Just Got Even More Insane
The automotive world is about to witness a jaw-dropping spectacle as Lanzante gears up to unveil the latest iteration of its legendary TAG Turbo Porsche 911 at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. This isn't just any ordinary 911; it's a masterful blend of a classic 930-generation Porsche 911 Turbo body and a bona fide Formula 1 power unit. Lanzante takes this unique creation to a staggering new height, infusing it with even more power to secure its place in the annals of automotive history.
A Nod to Racing History
The soul of this reimagined beast is the TAG-branded Porsche twin-turbocharged 1.5-liter V-6 engine, once roaring on the circuits in the McLaren F1 team from 1983 to 1987. Revolving around the heritage of McLaren's three consecutive Drivers' Championships, the latest beast is aptly named the TAG Championship. Each of the three limited-edition cars will be powered by engines used in one or more of the championship-winning seasons featuring racing legends like Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.
Formula 1 Heritage, Updated for the Modern Era
The centerpiece of the Goodwood Festival of Speed's debut vehicle is the engine, which harkens back to the 1984, '85, and '86 seasons—an era when Prost clinched two podium finishes in 1985. On top of that, the car's exterior will be strikingly adorned with a paint scheme that echoes Prost's helmet design from that season. The wheels, a glorious mix of magnesium and carbon fiber provided by Dymag (the same supplier of Prost's F1 wheels), complete the retro-modern homage.
Powerhouse on Wheels
The original TAG Turbo clocked a hefty 503 horsepower, but Lanzante is pulling no punches with the TAG Championship edition by elevating the power output to an adrenaline-pumping 625 hp. While that may not hit the astronomical 750 hp of its racing prime, it’s enough to make any enthusiast’s heart race. It's capable of revving up to 10,250 rpm, directed to the rear wheels via a thoroughly reworked 6-speed manual gearbox from the 993-generation Porsche 911. Lanzante proudly posts a top speed of 200 mph, living up to its Formula 1 DNA.
Cutting-edge Upgrades
Endurance racing requires technology to last beyond a mere sprint, and Cosworth has rebuilt the engine with advanced internals, a new airbox, upgraded exhaust system, and cutting-edge turbochargers featuring titanium compressors. This makes sure the power unit isn't just a museum piece but a heart-pounding performer.
Lanzante has also given the chassis a shot of adrenaline with added stiffness, while the brakes have been overhauled with carbon-ceramic units. In its quest for the ultimate performance, Lanzante has replaced many of the body panels with feather-light carbon fiber, revealing its raw aesthetic in many spots. The car tips the scales at an astounding 2,028 pounds—nearly 950 pounds lighter than its donor car.
A Tribute to Legacy
Were it not for McLaren’s original experiment back in the 1980s—where they installed an F1 power unit in a single Porsche 911—the TAG Turbo and its more muscular brother, the TAG Championship, would never have seen the light of day. Now, Lanzante, the British motorsports outfit that once fielded the victorious McLaren F1 GTR in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, perpetuates this motoring legend, bringing it to an enthusiast’s dream list.
As we await its grand debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, one thing is certain: this is not just an evolution but a revolution in the realm of high-performance automobiles.