Volvo P1800 Cyan Marks Return Of A Classic Coupe, Now With 413 HP

The Volvo P1800 Cyan takes the gorgeous styling of the classic Swedish coupe and adds a modern 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 413 horsepower (308 kilowatts) and 336 pound-feet (455 Newton-meters) of torque. This isn't just a one-off, either. Cyan Racing intends to build more, but right now the company says "pricing and individual specification is available for prospective clients," which suggests acquiring one might be pricey.

The P1800 Cyan's engine is derived from the one in the Volvo S60 TC1 racecar and has a 7,700 rpm redline. "The power peaks late. It is designed for high revs a lot, with the torque intuitively linear to the pedal," Mattias Evensson, Project Manager and Head of Engineering at Cyan Racing, said about the powerplant.

A five-speed manual gearbox sends the power to the rear wheels through a carbon-fiber driveshaft. A torque-biasing limited-slip differential improves traction. There are no driver assists, like stability control.

While the P1800 Cyan looks like the original Swedish model that dates back to the 1960s, Cyan Racing actually widens the track and repositions the greenhouse. A mix of carbon fiber and high-strength steel throughout the body and chassis significantly improve the structural rigidity over the car from decades ago. Plus, the curb weight comes in at a svelte 2,183 pounds (990 kilograms).

The P1800 Cyan features an overhauled suspension, including two-way adjustable dampers. There are now four-piston brakes that lack power assist or ABS for a more direct feeling between the driver and the road. It rides on 18-inch forged wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires around them.

"The settings of the car are not aimed at fast lap times but rather to deliver an enjoyable and exciting driving experience. I feel my smile widening each time that I control the drift angle of the car through a long turn," said Thed Björk, development driver and 2017 touring car world champion for Cyan Racing.

Cyan Racing is the former name of Polestar before Volvo's acquisition of the performance section of the company. The remaining motorsport part of the business became Cyan Racing. The squad has scored the last three titles in the World Touring Car Cup series.