Syrena Meluznya R
Remember the FSO Syrena? No? The
formally Soviet-owned brand built 500,000 of them between 1957 and 1983 in
Poland, and now the model name is back with a vengeance.
Polish corporation AK Motor
International has produced this; the Syrena Meluznya R. It's based on the
standard Meluznya, a tiny €8,000 coupe which launches this year in Poland. With
styling that's part Audi TT, part Nissan Figaro, the R is a € 60,000 limited
edition racing car.
Only 25 will be made for track use only,
with a hand built tubular steel space frame chassis and composite body inspired
by the original Syrena. It weighs just 1,100 kg, but while the standard car is
powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, this gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit
from the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.
That, and the fact it also has
four-wheel drive, allows the Syrena to sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
The standard Meluznya is reportedly on sale in Poland this year, but don't
expect either this or the R to appear in showrooms over here any time soon.
