The Volvo P1800 ES has always occupied a slightly different space. Part sports car, part design object, it's one of those rare shapes that feels as relevant now as it did in the early 1970s. Autoforma’s new Norrsken programme treats it accordingly.
Developed by Autoforma – the design-led arm of Niels van Roij Design – in collaboration with Volvo Lotte, Norrsken is a tightly controlled restomod series that focuses on proportion, materiality and long-term usability over outright performance. Each car is individually commissioned and built.
Three design directions anchor the programme. ‘Heritage Heaven’ stays close to the original brief, using period-correct colours and finishes with subtle mechanical updates. ‘Modern Marvel’ introduces a more pared-back, contemporary aesthetic, alongside improved suspension, lighting and power. ‘Forward Fashionista’, the most expressive iteration and the launch specification, pushes things further with a tuned Volvo T5 five-cylinder engine, revised transmission and upgraded braking and chassis systems.
Inside, the original dashboard architecture is retained but extensively reworked. Surfaces are retrimmed in leather, Alcantara or Scandinavian wool, with options spanning painted finishes, brushed aluminium and wood veneer. Seating is redesigned for improved ergonomics, while discreetly integrated modern systems bring the car up to date without disturbing its visual calm.
Externally, the changes are measured but effective. Subtle adjustments to stance, updated lighting, reworked detailing and selective carbon fibre components shift the car’s presence without overwhelming it.
No production numbers or pricing have been confirmed, but that feels consistent with the approach. Norrsken is positioned less as a spec sheet exercise, more as a considered evolution of a design classic.
Next up: EX30 Cross Country by Volvo.
