What Makes the Kimera Evo38 So Exciting for Rally Fans?
If you’ve ever caught yourself daydreaming about the golden era of rally—dust flying, engines howling, and cars dancing on the edge of control—the Kimera Evo38 is about to make your heart skip a beat. This isn’t just another retro-inspired sports car. It’s a bold reimagining of the legendary Lancia 037, updated for the modern age with nearly 600 horsepower, a mild hybrid system, and—here’s the kicker—four-wheel drive.
Why Did Kimera Move from Rear-Wheel Drive to Four-Wheel Drive?
Let’s be honest: the original Lancia 037 was iconic partly because it was the last rear-wheel-drive car to clinch a World Rally Championship constructor’s title. But times change, and so does technology. Kimera’s decision to switch to four-wheel drive isn’t just about following trends—it’s about giving drivers more control and versatility.
With the Evo38, you get a Torsen limited-slip differential up front and a clever cockpit controller that lets you adjust how much power goes to each axle. Want all the drama of rear-wheel drive? You can have it. Need maximum grip for a twisty, rain-soaked road? Dial in more front-end power. It’s the best of both worlds, and it means the Evo38 isn’t just a tribute—it’s a true evolution.
How Does the Mild Hybrid System Change the Game?
Hybrid tech in a rally-inspired car? At first glance, it sounds like heresy. But Kimera’s approach is all about subtlety and performance. The 48V mild-hybrid system doesn’t turn the Evo38 into a silent commuter. Instead, it gives the turbocharged and supercharged 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine an extra kick, boosting output from 500 to an eye-watering 592 horsepower.
This isn’t just about straight-line speed, either. The hybrid system helps fill in the gaps in power delivery, smoothing out the torque curve and making the car more responsive at any speed. It’s a clever nod to modern engineering, without sacrificing the visceral thrill that made the original 037 so beloved.
What’s Under the Hood—And Why Does It Matter?
Pop the hood (or, more accurately, peer through the glass-encased driveshaft running through the cockpit) and you’ll find a masterpiece of mechanical artistry. The mid-mounted engine is both turbocharged and supercharged, a rare combination that delivers instant throttle response and relentless top-end power.
There’s also a trick exhaust system with a valved setup. Want to keep things civil? Leave it muffled. Craving that raw, rally-stage soundtrack? Open the valve and let the straight-through pipes sing. As a bonus, you can actually see the turbo glowing through the rear of the car—a detail that’s pure theater for gearheads.
How Does the Evo38 Handle? Is It Just About Power?
Power is only part of the story. Kimera has completely overhauled the chassis, adding push-rod suspension and a strut-tower brace that cleverly integrates the turbo’s cooler. The result? A car that’s not just fast in a straight line, but razor-sharp in the corners.
Despite the addition of four-wheel drive and all that extra tech, the Evo38 tips the scales at just around 1100kg—lighter than its predecessor, the Evo37. That’s a remarkable achievement, especially when you consider how much modern safety and performance equipment is packed in.
Is the Kimera Evo38 Really Worth the Price Tag?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Evo38 isn’t cheap. Prices are expected to hover near £500,000, and with only 38 examples being built, exclusivity is guaranteed. But for collectors and die-hard rally fans, this isn’t just a car—it’s a rolling piece of motorsport history, reimagined for a new generation.
According to Kimera, nearly every build slot is already spoken for. That’s a testament to the car’s appeal, and to the enduring magic of the Lancia 037 legend.
What Sets the Evo38 Apart from Other Restomods?
We’re living in a golden age of restomods, but the Kimera Evo38 stands out for its obsessive attention to detail and its willingness to push boundaries. This isn’t just a cosmetic makeover. It’s a ground-up rethink, blending the soul of a rally icon with the best of today’s engineering.
From the exposed billet-aluminum linkage on the six-speed manual gearbox to the glass-encased driveshaft and the glowing turbo, every inch of the Evo38 is designed to delight enthusiasts. It’s a car that invites you to look closer, to ask questions, and to dream about what might have been if the 037 had never left the rally stage.
What’s the Takeaway for Enthusiasts?
If you love cars that tell a story—machines that bridge the gap between past and present—the Kimera Evo38 is hard to ignore. It’s proof that with enough passion and ingenuity, you can honor history without being shackled by it. The Evo38 doesn’t just pay tribute to a legend; it dares to imagine what that legend could become in the hands of today’s engineers.
For those lucky enough to get behind the wheel, it promises an experience that’s as raw and thrilling as anything from rally’s heyday, but with the polish and precision that only modern technology can provide. And for the rest of us? It’s a reminder that the spirit of motorsport is alive and well—evolving, adapting, and always ready to surprise.