Cyan Racing introduced their Volvo P1800 restomod in 2020 and now it’s coming stateside with a base price of around US$ 700,000. Costing more than a pair of McLaren 720S coupes, the Volvo P1800 Cyan is the brainchild of the former Polestar team and will make its North American debut at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering on August 9. Best known for winning five Touring Car World Championship titles and creating the S60 / V60 Polestar, the company turned their attention to the classic P1800. Since the car was lovely to look at but not quite as remarkable to drive, engineers decided to fix things with an assortment of modifications.
Starting under the hood, there’s a
turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine based on the race proven powertrain
that took the Volvo S60 TC1 race car to a title win. It screams to 7,700 rpm
while turning out 413 hp and 455 Nm of torque.
The engine is connected to a bespoke five-speed manual transmission with a
dog-leg first gear, which has been designed to “echo the mechanical feeling of
the original Volvo P1800, but with a crisp gear change and the ability to
handle the torque” of a modern powertrain.
While the company considered an assortment
of different engines, they ruled out an electric Volvo P1800. As Cyan Racing
CEO Christian Dahl explained, “We desired something more visceral, capturing
the spirit of the ’60s with the technology of today.” The new engine is just
the tip of the iceberg as the model has been equipped with a carbon fiber body,
a reinforced structure, and a wider track. The team also installed a fully
adjustable front and rear suspension, which features a number of bespoke
components including aluminum uprights, double wishbones, and two-way
adjustable dampers with Cyan valving. They’re joined by a limited-slip
differential and 18-inch center locking wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires.
The latter are backed up by four-piston calipers and steel discs that measure
14.2 inches (362 mm) at the front and 13 inches (330 mm) at the rear. However,
there’s no stability control, anti-lock brakes or brake booster as the car is
“all about the direct connection between the driver, tires and road.”
While the model is instantly recognizable
as a P1800, the cabin has been moved rearward and this, according to the
company, results in a “slightly longer hood and front fenders, creating a
subtly more sporting silhouette.” The model has also been equipped with unique
bumpers as well as billet aluminum door handles, mirrors, and lighting unit
surrounds. In fact, Cyan says the only things that carryover are the steel from
the original chassis, the hood release mechanism, handbrake and windshield
wipers.
The retro vibe is unmistakable, but the
cabin is a bit more modern as it sports Recaro seats and digital
instrumentation. They’re joined by bespoke switchgear, which is fitting for
such a unique model. Speaking of which, each car is built to a customer’s
specifications and can be tailored into anything from a lightweight, high-performance
cafe racer to a grand tourer. As a result, your options are largely limited by
your wallet and imagination.
