The Volvo P1800 Cyan keeps cutting-edge competition technology beneath its "retro" design

In recent years we have seen brands decide to revive and bring their most legendary models back into the present for the enjoyment of a lucky few. There are several examples, but we can highlight, for instance, the Jaguar E-Type, brought back in an electric configuration, or the Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, which even dared to appear at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

To this list of models from yesteryear that every motoring enthusiast would love to have in their collection, we must add one more: the Volvo P1800 Cyan. The Volvo P1800 was a car born in the 1960s that had the fortune of arriving at practically the same time as other legendary models such as the Porsche 911, the Ferrari 250 GTO or, precisely, the Jaguar E-Type. Cyan Racing, which we could consider the competition division of Volvo, wanted to demonstrate what a P1800 created by them would have been like.

Obviously we are not in the 1960s, and it would be illogical not to take advantage of the technology available today. That is why the Volvo P1800 Cyan has sought to maintain both the aesthetics and the driving essence, but with the lightness, safety and efficiency of present-day technology. That is why the Volvo P1800 Cyan is not merely a “retro” look; it is a vehicle whose bodywork has been modified, being reinforced at its weak points with high-strength steel and carbon fibre. As a result, the body increases structural rigidity while still allowing agile, light driving. The P1800 Cyan weighs just 990 kilograms.

Thanks to this, the Volvo P1800 Cyan has become a car that will deliver great doses of fun with a high level of safety, which is undoubtedly essential especially considering that it has no electronic assistance or driver-aid systems of any kind, something that did not exist in the 1960s. This also requires a thorough dynamic setup, which has been achieved by installing a front and rear suspension made of lightweight components and fully adjustable, which serves to connect the chassis with the road thanks to 18-inch wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres in 235/40 size for the front axle and 265/35 for the rear axle.

For the powertrain of the Volvo P1800 Cyan, the Cyan Racing team weighed the idea of using different engine concepts, including the original P1800’s B18 block, but ultimately opted for a 2,000 cc, four-cylinder inline engine used in the Volvo S60 TC1 competition car with which they won the WTCC title last year. This engine delivers 420 CV of power together with a torque of 455 Nm, sending its power to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. It is worth noting that this engine is turbocharged, something the original P1800 did not have, but its tuning is such that it delivers power in a linear fashion, akin to a naturally aspirated engine, so its essence is not lost while efficiency is gained.

For now we do not know the price of the Volvo P1800 Cyan, nor the specifications or extras its future owners will be able to fit, but, unfortunately, we are most likely looking at yet another toy that will only be within reach of a select few.