In the hallowed halls of automotive history, few names carry the weight of Lancia. For the tifosi, Lancia isn’t just a brand; it’s a memory of dust-clouded mountain passes, the high-pitched whine of superchargers, and a period of Group B dominance that bordered on the supernatural. But while the modern Lancia brand has spent years languishing in a more domestic, sensible existence, a small workshop in Cuneo, Italy, has been performing a different kind of miracle.
Kimera Automobili isn’t just restoring cars; they are resurrecting the soul of Italian rallying. Their masterpiece, the EVO37, is a love letter to the Lancia 037—the last rear-wheel-drive car to ever win a World Rally Championship.
Respecting the Blueprint, Breaking the Limits
The philosophy behind Kimera is one of “Authentic Evolution.” Luca Betti, the founder and a former rally driver himself, didn’t want to create a mere kit car or a flashy replica. The goal was to imagine what the 037 would have become if Lancia had never stopped developing it, using the materials and technology available in 2024.
To achieve this, Kimera went straight to the source. They enlisted the help of the original engineers, including Claudio Lombardi, the man responsible for Lancia’s legendary powertrains. By combining the DNA of the past with the precision of the future, Kimera has bypassed the typical “restomod” label, entering the realm of automotive art.
The Heart of the Beast
At the center of the EVO37 sits a 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine. While that might sound modest in an era of 1,000-hp electric hypercars, the Kimera’s engine is a mechanical marvel. It utilizes a twin-charging system—a volumetric supercharger for low-end grunt and a turbocharger for top-end scream.
This setup delivers over 500 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. In a car that weighs roughly 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs) thanks to an intensive use of carbon fiber, the power-to-weight ratio is nothing short of intoxicating.
Design: A Silhouette of Speed
Visually, the EVO37 is unmistakable. It retains the iconic wedge shape and the aggressive “double bubble” roofline of the original 037, but every panel has been refined.
- Carbon Fiber Body: Where the original used fiberglass, Kimera uses high-grade carbon fiber, ensuring the car is lighter and more rigid.
- LED Lighting: The quad-round headlights—a signature of the 80s rally scene—remain, but they are now powered by ultra-modern LEDs that pierce through the darkness.
- The Stance: With wider fenders and massive wheels that mimic the original Campagnolo designs, the car looks like it’s mid-sprint even when parked.
The interior is a masterclass in “analog-luxe.” You won’t find massive iPads glued to the dashboard here. Instead, there are exposed carbon surfaces, Alcantara-wrapped buckets, and a sea of toggle switches and analog gauges. It is a cockpit designed for the act of driving, not for scrolling through menus.
The EVO38: Shifting the Paradigm
Just when the world thought Kimera had reached the peak of the mountain, they revealed the EVO38. If the EVO37 was a tribute to the 037, the EVO38 is the “Integrale” version that never was.
The biggest upgrade is the inclusion of an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. In the 1980s, Lancia moved from the RWD 037 to the AWD Delta S4 to stay competitive. Kimera has essentially followed that same evolutionary path. The EVO38 features an electro-hydraulic differential that allows the driver to manage the power distribution between the axles from the cockpit.
This isn’t just about grip; it’s about versatility. With a sequential six-speed gearbox and a revised suspension setup, the EVO38 is designed to conquer everything from smooth tarmac to the roughest gravel stages, much like its ancestors did decades ago.
Why It Matters
In a world increasingly dominated by autonomous driving and the silent whir of electric motors, Kimera Automobili represents a defiant stand for mechanical emotion.
They are only producing 37 units of the EVO37 and 38 units of the EVO38. These are not mass-produced commodities; they are boutique instruments of speed. At a price tag north of $500,000, they are reserved for the few, but their impact is felt by the many.
Kimera has proven that the spirit of Lancia didn’t die in the late 90s. It was merely waiting for someone with enough passion—and enough carbon fiber—to wake it up. By honoring the engineers of the past and embracing the technology of the present, Kimera has ensured that the “Lancia Legend” isn’t just a chapter in a history book, but a living, breathing, fire-spitting reality on the road today.
Hello, my name is Himanshu Kumar and I am an experienced Digital Marketer. I have been blogging for the last 4 years and I have special interest in SEO. Here I give you easy bikes and writes easy-to-understand reviews and news about the latest bikes, helping readers choose the best options.. My aim is to always provide you with accurate, new and useful information.
