It’s not officially a Lancia 037, but the Kimera EVO37 is as close as you can get to a modern version of the rallying icon.
Kimera Automobili has unveiled details of its stunning recreation that stays true to the original as much as possible but with some modern upgrades. It’s part of a modern trend for restomods like the Porsche 911s by Singer, Totem’s Alfa Romeo GTe and Cyan’s Volvo P1800.
For those unfamiliar, the Lancia 037 won the 1983 World Rally Championship Constructors’ title driven by the likes of Walter Röhl and Markku Alén. The mid-engine sports car became a legend of the Group B era and was the last rear-wheel drive car to win a title in the WRC.
The EVO37 is still built around a spaceframe chassis, like the original, but it has been redesigned to create more torsional rigidity. The bodywork follows the same lines as the Lanica but is now made from carbon fibre, instead of fibreglass.
The engine is a 2.1-litre four-cylinder with both a supercharger and turbocharger (like the original) and Kimera brought in original Lancia engineer, Claudio Lombardi to oversee its creation. Thanks to a modern overhaul it makes 377kW of power and 550Nm of torque, compared to 153kW/226Nm of the 037. It still drives through a manual gearbox, to keep it period appropriate.
The suspension benefits from the nearly 40 years of advancements since the 037 was first designed. Kimera has called on Swedish specialists, Ohlins to provide the dampers for the EVO37 to ensure it rides and handles like a modern sports car.
The brakes are sourced from Brembo, and carbon ceramics are reportedly an option. They sit behind 18-inch alloy wheels at the front and 19-inch rims at the rear, wrapped in Pirelli rubber.
Kimera will only build 37 of these stunners and they won’t come cheap, starting at €480,000 (approx. $760,000). The car is due to make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
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