The Lanzante 930 TAG Turbo is far more than another modified Porsche 911. It is a remarkable engineering exercise that brings genuine Formula 1 technology into one of the most recognizable sports-car platforms ever created. Developed as a continuation of McLaren’s secret 1980s testing program, the car combines the unmistakable silhouette and character of the Porsche 930 Turbo with a rare TAG Turbo powerplant originally developed for McLaren’s Formula 1 program.
At its core is a 1.5-liter water-cooled TAG Turbo V6, derived from the McLaren MP4/2 era. While the original Formula 1 engine produced roughly 1,000 horsepower in racing specification, Lanzante and Cosworth reworked the surviving engines for road use, detuning them to approximately 500 horsepower. The result is an extraordinary power-to-weight combination, particularly because the compact Formula 1 engine weighs nearly 300 pounds less than the original Porsche 3.3-liter flat-six. The finished car is reportedly capable of reaching 200 mph.
The engineering challenges extended well beyond installing a different engine. Because the TAG Turbo is water-cooled, Lanzante had to integrate a front-mounted radiator into a chassis originally designed around an air-cooled Porsche powertrain. Extensive carbon-fiber engineering and chassis development were also required, while retaining many of the 930’s familiar comforts, including air conditioning and electric windows.
Its motorsport credentials are equally compelling. The engines were genuine period units that had actually seen Formula 1 competition, with this particular example associated with Alain Prost’s podium finish in Spain. Cosworth inspected and prepared the engines, ultimately supporting a limited run of just 11 road cars, making the TAG Turbo extraordinarily scarce.
Behind the wheel, the experience is unmistakably mechanical. Heavy but highly direct steering, an 8,500-rpm redline, adjustable boost, a stiff yet compliant chassis, and the distinctive sound of a Formula 1-derived engine create a driving experience unlike that of a conventional 930. Even its operating procedure reflects its racing DNA: the engine must be warmed carefully before higher revs are permitted.
As explored by Jay Leno and Sean from the Audrain Museum Network, the Lanzante 930 TAG Turbo represents a rare intersection of Porsche heritage, McLaren Formula 1 history, and modern specialist engineering. Rather than simply adding power to an iconic Porsche, Lanzante has created a road car that preserves the spirit of the original 930 while incorporating technology born at the highest level of motorsport.
Source: Audrain Museum Network
