Kimera Automobili has unveiled the production-spec Evo38 – its latest Lancia 037-inspired restomod – at Monterey Car Week.
With the Evo38, the Italian firm asks: what if the legendary Lancia 037 had continued to evolve beyond the 1980s, when it became the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the World Rally Championship with Walter Röhrl.
The answer comes in the form of more power, less weight and the addition of four-wheel drive compared with its visually similar – and equally striking – Evo37 predecessor.
At its heart is an uprated version of the Evo37’s twin-charged 2.2-litre four-cylinder Lampredi engine, now paired with a 48v mild-hybrid system. Output rises by 95bhp to 600bhp, sent through a six-speed manual gearbox.
Despite gaining a hybrid system and two extra drive shafts, the Evo38 is 20kg lighter than the non-hybrid, rear-drive Evo37 at 1100kg. That yields a power-to-weight ratio of 545bhp per tonne – on par with a 755bhp McLaren 675LT Spider.
The chassis has been re-engineered with adjustable pushrod suspension, a strut-tower cross-brace, traction control, ABS, configurable engine maps, adjustable torque split and a rally-spec hydraulic handbrake.
Inside, Italian leather, Alcantara, carbonfibre and milled aluminium are joined by a theatrical centrepiece: an exposed driveshaft running between the seats in a glass case.
Just 38 examples will be built, including the blue-over-tan car debuting at Monterey. Priced at around £500,000, almost all are already spoken for.
For more info, see kimera-automobili.com
