Volvo will participate as Polestar Cyan Racing in deference to Volvo’s acquisition earlier this year of Polestar Performance AB – the Swedish high-performance vehicle company – and Polestar’s official motorsport partner Cyan Racing, the all-new team will field two race-ready versions of its flagship S60 model – the Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 – in the high-action global motorsport series, which includes visits to key markets such as China, Germany, Japan and Russia.
Through its official WTCC manufacturer entrant Polestar Cyan Racing, Volvo joins Citroën, Honda and LADA in endorsing the new-generation TC1 technical regulations. Chevrolet has also supported the building of a car to the exciting TC1 rules, which have proved a big hit, not only among car companies, but also with broadcasters and fans around the world due to the increased performance and use of technology.
Polestar Cyan Racing will spend the remainder of 2015 testing and developing its S60 Polestar TC1 racer in preparation for next season’s WTCC when it will challenge for on-track success. Details of the driver line-up will be announced in due course.
Jean Todt, FIA President, said: “I am delighted to welcome Volvo as a new manufacturer in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. As a famous touring car marque, and as a name synonymous with both technology and safety, it is fitting that Volvo is the latest manufacturer to join the World Championship. This new entry is testament to the maturity of the WTCC and to the attractiveness of the TC1 regulations for manufacturers. My hope is that Volvo, with its S60 TC1, and the FIA World Touring Car Championship will enjoy great success together.”
François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Events, said: “Volvo has a strong pedigree in touring car racing and it’s a big credit to the WTCC as a global platform to be selected by a premium brand looking to showcase its exciting new performance brand, Polestar. This will be a serious manufacturer entry with the design, chassis and engine development and running of the team all taken care of under one roof. Welcome to Polestar Cyan Racing to the pinnacle of touring car.”
Ribeiro continued: “The introduction of the FIA’s TC1 regulations coupled with Citroën’s participation has raised the bar from a technical and sporting point of view during a short period of time. Far from scare off manufacturers, they’ve pushed LADA to change completely its approach and required Honda to chase more performance. Now Volvo has found the challenge of the WTCC and the building of a TC1 car – a perfect fit for its global S60 model – irresistible. It will test itself against an extremely high level of competition, and will add to the WTCC a touch of blue cyan which is so emblematic to Volvo in racing.”
Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Polestar, said: “This is a great day for all of us at Polestar Cyan Racing to announce our assault on the FIA World Touring Car Championship, a programme that boils down to one thing; to bring the world title to Sweden. We have got respect for the task ahead of us that we take on with absolute commitment. This is a long-term effort and we have got an extensive testing programme during the winter that will continue alongside our first WTCC season in 2016 which is all about learning.”
The 2016 FIA World Touring Car Championship will be contested over 12 race weekends. The provisional calendar will be revealed shortly.
Founder of Auto Rebellion | Guest writer for zerotohundred.com