Look what was parked at the McLaren Technology Center

[McLaren-TAG]

Look what I spied parked inside the halls of the great McLaren Technology Center. Anyone know anything about this? Rumored that it has the Porsche TAG Turbo engine of their F1 cars from 85 and 86.

[911jettat]

Earlier thread: McLaren's TAG Turbo-engined Porsche 911




2012 in review: a visit to the McLaren Technology Centre | Drive Cult

The TAG Turbo 911

Despite all of the priceless racing cars on display, the car that caught my attention the most was one that I wasn't sure even existed until I saw it parked by the window. At first glance, it looked like a perfectly ordinary 1980s Porsche 911, albeit in time-warp mint condition. As I walked around the car, though, there were clues that this car was something a bit special. A set of lovely five-spoke RUF wheels, a big green 'Start' button in the centre console, and, oh yes, a pair of stinking great intercoolers sticking out of the engine compartment at the rear.

This was a unicorn car, one whose existence was previously only a rumour; a Porsche 911 fitted with a 1.5l V6 TAG Turbo Formula 1 engine where there should ordinarily be a regular Porsche flat six. Built as a testbed for the Porsche-developed, TAG-funded turbo engine that powered McLaren's F1 cars in the mid-80s, this unique Porsche has spent much of its life in a McLaren storage facility. It was a real treat to see it out on display, and fascinating to marvel at how neatly the F1 engine nestled in the 911's engine bay. Ignoring the signs warning that photography inside the boulevard wasn't permitted, I discreetly took a few shots of the Porsche, just to prove something so incredible as an F1-engined 911 really does exist.

[McLaren-TAG]

Thanks for the link. Very cool, very rare beast indeed.

[Flieger]

They also put one in a 956 for testing.

[JohnJL]

Must....hear...it...redline....