Cyan Racing’s take on the P1800 has been winning a lot of admirers, but it’s not done showing off yet. Its latest round of assessment has seen it head north to the frozen lakes and snow-covered roads of Åre, Sweden.
The test, says Cyan Racing, has helped prove that its lightweight chassis has been set up right. According to P1800 Project Manager Mattias Evensson, it was important, especially for a car with no driver aids.
“Our aim has been to make a car with a sound base design that leaves it to you as the driver to explore the limits, rather than leaning on electronic driver aids to control the power and weight as with most modern performance cars,” said Evensson. “And it’s all connected with the engine response, the chassis balance, and the low weight, making the car playful and rewarding.”
This is a back-to-basics car, he added. And that was important to the team because, even though there are more capable cars, this was designed to be fun to drive.
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“The basic concept of the car seems to work really well, it does not matter that much if you are on a bone-dry racing circuit, a wet and twisty country road or on the crisp ice here in northern Sweden,” said Evensson. “You still feel confident and in control.”
And there’s every reason to believe them. When they aren’t making the P1800, Cyan Racing is on the track. Formerly Polestar Racing, the Gothenburg outfit has a longstanding relationship with Volvo and a rich history of on-track success.
The Cyan P1800 has a body made almost entirely of carbon fiber and a total weight of just 990 kg (2,182 lbs). It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 420 hp at 7,000 rpm and 335 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm that is hooked up to a dog-leg five-speed manual transmission.