A new Lancia model? Not really, although we would love to see the rebirth of this glorious brand, defined by a very famous manager as “without history and importance”. Lancia 037, however, was reborn at the hands of Kimera Automobili, a small company from Cuneo founded by the rally driver Luca Betti, and who launches his first creation, Kimera EVO37. Is it a modernized Lancia 037? Yes, but it is also much more. We then know the history of Kimera Automobili, of the legendary 037 and of today's incredible protagonist, EVO37.
What is a restomod? And what is Kimera Automobili?
Kimera EVO37 is not just a quote from a Lancia 037, it is a real modern reincarnation of a legendary car, history of the rally world and more. It is indeed a r. We will explore this topic in a few days, but in short a restomod car is a 'classic car revised, corrected and modernized with mechanical, aesthetic and internal components in step with the times.
As we will see, the starting point is the same as the Lancia 037, and the architects of this real work of art are the boys of Kimera Cars. This little house, founded by the rally driver Luca Betti, is based in Cuneo, at Villa Kimera, and has its roots directly in the world of rally. Luca's father, Andrea, it was indeed Italian champion at the wheel of Lancia Stratos, and even Luca Betti himself was a successful driver, close to the prestigious title of European Rally Champion in 2011 as an independent.
Having abandoned his racing career for now, he founded Kimera Automobili, always with a great love for rallies, and for Lancias in particular, closely linked with his family. From the skills of competitiveness and attention to detail learned over the years of racing, Kimera Automobili has not simply improved a Lancia 037. The car has been totally revised, relying on specialists and the engineers and technicians who made it great in the 80s.
The Lancia 037, the last rear wheel drive to win the World Rally Championship
The less enthusiastic of the rally world among you will surely be wondering: "But what is so special about this Lancia that I have never heard?". In fact, despite the fact that the Stratos and above all the immortal Delta Integrale have polarized the greatest attention of the public on them, the Lancia 037 is perhaps the most surprising and incredible rally car of the last 50 years.
Already from the lines, as a true sports car more similar to a racing car on the track rather than a rally car (an aspect that unites it to the Stratos), it is clear that 037 is a car different than usual. To fully understand what makes this car special we need to make a small recap of the historical period of this car. We are in 1981, and FIAT has won several World Rally Championships with the legendary 131 Abarth. However, there is a need for a new model, more extreme and performing that he could participate in the new queen category, the group B. Thus, the Engineer Sergio Limone, a historical figure of Italian motoring, was the project Manager, which was to be ready for the 1982 season.
The car that was created was a collaborative work between legendary houses: Abarth he took care of the engine tuning; spear e Dallara they created the chassis, derived from that of the Beta Montecarlo road sports car; FIAT finally he made available the Racing Team, captained by Cesare Fiorio. The 037 was not born immediately as Lancia, but it became al 1981 Turin Motor Show, where the road version. This, while offering a 2.0 supercharged engine with 205 HP Volumex supercharger and exceptional aesthetics, it did not have great commercial success. In any case, Lancia's intent was not to build a successful road car: the goal was to win in the World Rally Championship.
The last two-wheel drive car to win a World Rally
From the Lancia Corse plants in Via Caraglio, in the district of Borgo San Paolo in Turin, a racing car came out that defied all the rules. In 1981, in fact, a car had debuted that would soon change the world of rallies and cars: Audi quattro. With her four-wheel drive and the power of its 5-cylinder turbo, had spaved the way for all rivals: all-wheel drive is the answer to winning in rallies.
However, it seems that in Lancia, when they sent the message, they were a bit distracted ... Joking aside, in Lancia they believed that a light, agile, "skidding" and powerful rear-wheel drive could still have its say against the very stable but heavy and not very agile Audi. For this, the 037 continued to have rear-wheel drive. After a "exploratory" debut in 1982, the pilots Markku Alén, Walter Rohrl, Attilio Bettega and Adartico Vudafieri arrived in 1983 with the hunger to beat the Germans and their four.
Despite the rear-wheel drive only, the Lancia Rally 037 (this is the full name) thanks to its 2.0 supercharged engine with over 320 HP and the featherweight of 1020 kg succeeded to win 5 stages of the 1983 World Championship, succeeding in an incredible hat-trick on the podium at the Sanremo Rally. The Drivers' Title went to Hannu Mikkola's Audi that year, but the World Rally Constructors Championship went to the Lancia 037, which beat the incredible Audi quattro, which dominated the following years.
The 037 succeeded in a sports miracle: beat the German favorites with a half on the lower card, but legendary to say the least. His career ended in 1985, replaced by the Lancia Delta S4, the first Lancia rally with all-wheel drive, but the 037 is remained in history. The 037 is in fact to datei the last two-wheel drive car capable of winning the World Rally Championship, since that time the prerogative of four-wheel drive cars.
Kimera EVO37, a respectful restomod, directed by the makers of the Lancia 037
Now that we understand the incredible importance of the Lancia 037 in the world of rallying and beyond, we can better understand the respectful and meticulous work that Kimera Automobili set up to create the EVO37. E respect is undoubtedly the watchword that Luca Betti and his team have had since the beginning of this project.
In fact, Kimera has not made any changes that could upset or modify the initial design of the 037. In fact, on Kimera's official website the phrase "Deep Respect" mantra of the whole project. The Cuneo team has in fact the team of engineers behind this incredible car was immediately involved. How? Claudio lombardi, engine engineer and designer behind all the projects of the Lancia Racing Team, was in charge of the engine overhaul.
The engineer Sergio Limone, responsible for the 037 project and dozens of other legendary racing cars of the FIAT Group, including for example the 155 DTM, has instead sreviewed and approved the modifications to the original chassis. The engineer Vittorio Roberti, another architect of the FIAT Group's victories in competitions between the 70s and 90s, ha supervised and approved the production process and the materials used. Finally, the legendary pilot Miki Biasion, two-time World Rally Champion on a Lancia Delta Integrale, he made his contribution in the development of the car. But that's not all: it seems in fact Biasion will also take care of road testing.
Finally, in Kimera they didn't do it all by themselves. In fact, they also made use of the collaboration with Piedmontese and Italian excellences for the realization of the EVO37. A few names? Italtecnica, who took care of the development of the engine, the Bonetto CV of Avigliana, specialist in the development of prototypes and racing cars, the Beautiful of Novara, specialized in the processing of carbon fiber. There is no shortage of local excellences known all over the world such as Brembo, Pirelli, Pakelo, Sparco and Andreani-Öhlins.
The aesthetics and changes compared to the Lancia 037: improved original chassis and carbon fiber bodywork
So what is Kimera EVO37? It is a Lancia 037 modernized and enhanced? Yes, but not only that. In fact Kimera have improved virtually every inch of the starting car, starting with the chassis. As we told you a little while ago, in fact, the Lancia 037 chassis is derived from that of Lancia Beta Montecarlo, to which the FIAT technicians added two tubular and lightweight structures at the front and rear. These facilities though they were not load-bearing, and they did not add structural rigidity to the car, still entirely delegated to the central “cell” of the Beta Montecarlo.
Under the supervision of Sergio Limone, however, in Kimera they decided to take a step forward, missed in 1982 for the 037 but then done with great results on the subsequent Delta S4. Always starting from a "donor" Lancia Beta Montecarlo of the central cell, the tubular structures, but with one substantial difference. These are now load-bearing, engineered by Bonetto CV, for greater rigidity of the entire chassis, leaving the cell of the Beta Montecarlo only the task of "protecting" the passenger compartment. Moreover, since the central cell is no longer entrusted with all the rigidity of the car, it was designed a roll-bar for the passenger compartment integrated into the structure. This maximizes safety and structural rigidity, as well as space on board, as the roll-bar does not steal precious space inside.
On this totally renewed frame, Kimera EVO37 is dressed in a carbon fiber body made specifically for her. The length is slightly longer than the 037 Stradale, and it is also slightly wider. The aesthetics, however, remained faithful to the original, conceived by the founder of Kimera Luca Betti. The lines in fact remain as a whole the same as 037, typically 70s / 80s. The front is square and dominated by the four round headlights, which will then also be taken up by the Delta S4 and the legendary Delta Integrale.
Obviously, however, being faced with a restomod, the headlights here are full LED, both front and rear. The grille has also been changed, made more modern, and aggressive, no longer chrome like on the road Beta but dark, threatening and aggressive. This new mask it retains the proud Lancia logo in the center and sports the EVO37 logo, with a background color that incorporates the legendary Martini livery. There is also the central "clew" on the hood, while laterally you can see some more modern, streamlined and defined lines.
The 037 sideways seemed in fact made with the square and the ruler. Here the carbon fiber is expertly sanded to create a modern look but at the same time respectful of tradition. In the same direction they go the rims, similar in design to that of the later Delta HF 4WD, and much more generous in size. We are in fact at 18 inches at the front and 19 at the rear, measures necessary to make room for the huge Brembo brakes hidden underneath. In the end, the rear is dominated by the huge body-colored wing, much more beautiful and generous than the plastic one of the 037 Stradale. A little further below you can see the black air intake and Circular Full LED headlights, both taken from the Group B version and different from the more peaceful 037 Stradale, which sported a matching air intake and square headlights.
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A new Lancia model? Not really, although we would love to see the rebirth of this glorious brand, defined by a very famous manager as “without history and importance”. Lancia 037, however, was reborn at the hands of Kimera Automobili, a small company from Cuneo founded by the rally driver Luca Betti, and who launches his first creation, Kimera EVO37. Is it a modernized Lancia 037? Yes, but it is also much more. We then know the history of Kimera Automobili, of the legendary 037 and of today's incredible protagonist, EVO37.
What is a restomod? And what is Kimera Automobili?
Kimera EVO37 is not just a quote from a Lancia 037, it is a real modern reincarnation of a legendary car, history of the rally world and more. It is indeed a r. We will explore this topic in a few days, but in short a restomod car is a 'classic car revised, corrected and modernized with mechanical, aesthetic and internal components in step with the times.
As we will see, the starting point is the same as the Lancia 037, and the architects of this real work of art are the boys of Kimera Cars. This little house, founded by the rally driver Luca Betti, is based in Cuneo, at Villa Kimera, and has its roots directly in the world of rally. Luca's father, Andrea, it was indeed Italian champion at the wheel of Lancia Stratos, and even Luca Betti himself was a successful driver, close to the prestigious title of European Rally Champion in 2011 as an independent.
Having abandoned his racing career for now, he founded Kimera Automobili, always with a great love for rallies, and for Lancias in particular, closely linked with his family. From the skills of competitiveness and attention to detail learned over the years of racing, Kimera Automobili has not simply improved a Lancia 037. The car has been totally revised, relying on specialists and the engineers and technicians who made it great in the 80s.
The Lancia 037, the last rear wheel drive to win the World Rally Championship
The less enthusiastic of the rally world among you will surely be wondering: "But what is so special about this Lancia that I have never heard?". In fact, despite the fact that the Stratos and above all the immortal Delta Integrale have polarized the greatest attention of the public on them, the Lancia 037 is perhaps the most surprising and incredible rally car of the last 50 years.
Already from the lines, as a true sports car more similar to a racing car on the track rather than a rally car (an aspect that unites it to the Stratos), it is clear that 037 is a car different than usual. To fully understand what makes this car special we need to make a small recap of the historical period of this car. We are in 1981, and FIAT has won several World Rally Championships with the legendary 131 Abarth. However, there is a need for a new model, more extreme and performing that he could participate in the new queen category, the group B. Thus, the Engineer Sergio Limone, a historical figure of Italian motoring, was the project Manager, which was to be ready for the 1982 season.
The car that was created was a collaborative work between legendary houses: Abarth he took care of the engine tuning; spear e Dallara they created the chassis, derived from that of the Beta Montecarlo road sports car; FIAT finally he made available the Racing Team, captained by Cesare Fiorio. The 037 was not born immediately as Lancia, but it became al 1981 Turin Motor Show, where the road version. This, while offering a 2.0 supercharged engine with 205 HP Volumex supercharger and exceptional aesthetics, it did not have great commercial success. In any case, Lancia's intent was not to build a successful road car: the goal was to win in the World Rally Championship.
The last two-wheel drive car to win a World Rally
From the Lancia Corse plants in Via Caraglio, in the district of Borgo San Paolo in Turin, a racing car came out that defied all the rules. In 1981, in fact, a car had debuted that would soon change the world of rallies and cars: Audi quattro. With her four-wheel drive and the power of its 5-cylinder turbo, had spaved the way for all rivals: all-wheel drive is the answer to winning in rallies.
However, it seems that in Lancia, when they sent the message, they were a bit distracted ... Joking aside, in Lancia they believed that a light, agile, "skidding" and powerful rear-wheel drive could still have its say against the very stable but heavy and not very agile Audi. For this, the 037 continued to have rear-wheel drive. After a "exploratory" debut in 1982, the pilots Markku Alén, Walter Rohrl, Attilio Bettega and Adartico Vudafieri arrived in 1983 with the hunger to beat the Germans and their four.
Despite the rear-wheel drive only, the Lancia Rally 037 (this is the full name) thanks to its 2.0 supercharged engine with over 320 HP and the featherweight of 1020 kg succeeded to win 5 stages of the 1983 World Championship, succeeding in an incredible hat-trick on the podium at the Sanremo Rally. The Drivers' Title went to Hannu Mikkola's Audi that year, but the World Rally Constructors Championship went to the Lancia 037, which beat the incredible Audi quattro, which dominated the following years.
The 037 succeeded in a sports miracle: beat the German favorites with a half on the lower card, but legendary to say the least. His career ended in 1985, replaced by the Lancia Delta S4, the first Lancia rally with all-wheel drive, but the 037 is remained in history. The 037 is in fact to datei the last two-wheel drive car capable of winning the World Rally Championship, since that time the prerogative of four-wheel drive cars.
Kimera EVO37, a respectful restomod, directed by the makers of the Lancia 037
Now that we understand the incredible importance of the Lancia 037 in the world of rallying and beyond, we can better understand the respectful and meticulous work that Kimera Automobili set up to create the EVO37. E respect is undoubtedly the watchword that Luca Betti and his team have had since the beginning of this project.
In fact, Kimera has not made any changes that could upset or modify the initial design of the 037. In fact, on Kimera's official website the phrase "Deep Respect" mantra of the whole project. The Cuneo team has in fact the team of engineers behind this incredible car was immediately involved. How? Claudio lombardi, engine engineer and designer behind all the projects of the Lancia Racing Team, was in charge of the engine overhaul.
The engineer Sergio Limone, responsible for the 037 project and dozens of other legendary racing cars of the FIAT Group, including for example the 155 DTM, has instead sreviewed and approved the modifications to the original chassis. The engineer Vittorio Roberti, another architect of the FIAT Group's victories in competitions between the 70s and 90s, ha supervised and approved the production process and the materials used. Finally, the legendary pilot Miki Biasion, two-time World Rally Champion on a Lancia Delta Integrale, he made his contribution in the development of the car. But that's not all: it seems in fact Biasion will also take care of road testing.
Finally, in Kimera they didn't do it all by themselves. In fact, they also made use of the collaboration with Piedmontese and Italian excellences for the realization of the EVO37. A few names? Italtecnica, who took care of the development of the engine, the Bonetto CV of Avigliana, specialist in the development of prototypes and racing cars, the Beautiful of Novara, specialized in the processing of carbon fiber. There is no shortage of local excellences known all over the world such as Brembo, Pirelli, Pakelo, Sparco and Andreani-Öhlins.
The aesthetics and changes compared to the Lancia 037: improved original chassis and carbon fiber bodywork
So what is Kimera EVO37? It is a Lancia 037 modernized and enhanced? Yes, but not only that. In fact Kimera have improved virtually every inch of the starting car, starting with the chassis. As we told you a little while ago, in fact, the Lancia 037 chassis is derived from that of Lancia Beta Montecarlo, to which the FIAT technicians added two tubular and lightweight structures at the front and rear. These facilities though they were not load-bearing, and they did not add structural rigidity to the car, still entirely delegated to the central “cell” of the Beta Montecarlo.
Under the supervision of Sergio Limone, however, in Kimera they decided to take a step forward, missed in 1982 for the 037 but then done with great results on the subsequent Delta S4. Always starting from a "donor" Lancia Beta Montecarlo of the central cell, the tubular structures, but with one substantial difference. These are now load-bearing, engineered by Bonetto CV, for greater rigidity of the entire chassis, leaving the cell of the Beta Montecarlo only the task of "protecting" the passenger compartment. Moreover, since the central cell is no longer entrusted with all the rigidity of the car, it was designed a roll-bar for the passenger compartment integrated into the structure. This maximizes safety and structural rigidity, as well as space on board, as the roll-bar does not steal precious space inside.
On this totally renewed frame, Kimera EVO37 is dressed in a carbon fiber body made specifically for her. The length is slightly longer than the 037 Stradale, and it is also slightly wider. The aesthetics, however, remained faithful to the original, conceived by the founder of Kimera Luca Betti. The lines in fact remain as a whole the same as 037, typically 70s / 80s. The front is square and dominated by the four round headlights, which will then also be taken up by the Delta S4 and the legendary Delta Integrale.
Obviously, however, being faced with a restomod, the headlights here are full LED, both front and rear. The grille has also been changed, made more modern, and aggressive, no longer chrome like on the road Beta but dark, threatening and aggressive. This new mask it retains the proud Lancia logo in the center and sports the EVO37 logo, with a background color that incorporates the legendary Martini livery. There is also the central "clew" on the hood, while laterally you can see some more modern, streamlined and defined lines.
The 037 sideways seemed in fact made with the square and the ruler. Here the carbon fiber is expertly sanded to create a modern look but at the same time respectful of tradition. In the same direction they go the rims, similar in design to that of the later Delta HF 4WD, and much more generous in size. We are in fact at 18 inches at the front and 19 at the rear, measures necessary to make room for the huge Brembo brakes hidden underneath. In the end, the rear is dominated by the huge body-colored wing, much more beautiful and generous than the plastic one of the 037 Stradale. A little further below you can see the black air intake and Circular Full LED headlights, both taken from the Group B version and different from the more peaceful 037 Stradale, which sported a matching air intake and square headlights.
Kimera EVO37 mechanics: engine perfected by Italtecnica, turbo + compressor like the Delta S4 and 505 HP!
From the outside, therefore, Kimera EVO37 respectfully modernizes the lines of the Lancia 037. But the real show is under the bodywork. Kimera EVO37 will in fact be lighter than the 1170 kg of the 037 Stradale, thanks to the use of carbon fiber for the bodywork, with a weight not yet officially declared, but which will be in the order of 1000 kg. At the suspensive and frame level, together with the aforementioned load-bearing structure in Kimera they have preserved the original scheme of 037, already very sophisticated. We have indeed double wishbone suspension on all four wheels, with double shock absorbers at the rear to ensure better grip on difficult surfaces.
Springs and shock absorbers are by Andreani-Ohlins, and brakes they are huge 365 mm self-ventilating on all 4 wheels made by Brembo. Each component of the mechanics is made with quality materials: carbon, kevlar, but also titanium and aluminum machined from solid. The tires are also Pirelli P-Zero with different sizes between front and rear, and very low shoulder. Where, however, Kimera EVO37 has changed the original project the most, it is on a level motorsport.
Although with great respect, in Kimera they have chosen a natural evolution of the 2.0 with volumetric compressor of the 037. In fact, the starting engine is that of the latest evolution of the 037, the Evo2, with 2.111 cm3 and 350 HP. The original engine, of which the block is used, was however totally redesigned and re-engineered from scratch by Italtecnica, with the support of Engineer Lombardi. To begin, the displacement of the Bialbero was increased to 2,15 liters. The four-cylinder in-line 16 valves was then equipped with the evolution reserved for the subsequent Delta S4. That is, Kimera EVO37 is equipped with both a volumetric compressor and a turbocharger.
A double supercharging that harks back to the history of Lancia, but which is also terribly modern, also used today in Formula 1, as proof of the technological level reached in Borgo San Paolo in the 80s. The turbo plus volumetric compressor system is equipped with a turbocharger that acts at high revs, and a Roots type volumetric compressor, of the same conception as the Lancia Volumex. The novelty, however, is there presence of an electro-clutch, obviously electronic. What does it mean? That the compressor does not absorb power from the engine when it is not needed, as happens on traditional volumetric cars. This leads to all the benefits of a classic compressor, namely the pair at the bottom and accelerator readiness, but without the power absorption typical of this solution.
The engine was then lightened, it is equipped with electronic engine management and supercharging and is coupled to a new 6-speed manual gearbox and a rear self-locking differential. performance of this engine are incredible: it delivers 505 hp and 550 Nm of torque, numbers higher than even the most extreme 037 racing version. An engine that pays tribute to both the Lancia 037 and the Delta S4, considered the Group B car with the best engine ever created. We don't have any declared performance yet, but we're sure it can hold its own with the best supercars in the world.
How much does Kimera EVO37 cost? And how many will be produced?
Kimera EVO37 is therefore not just a Lancia 037 restomod. It is a modern, powerful and avant-garde supercar. With an aesthetic that is nothing short of exceptional, it is a a tribute to Italian technology, Piedmontese motoring excellence, the Lancia brand and analogue, bad, charismatic supercars. In fact, Kimera EVO37 will not remain a unique example. There official presentation will arrive in a very prestigious setting, the Goodwood Festival Of Speed of July. All eyes will surely be on her, and several buyers may be thinking about buying her. In fact, only 37 copies will be produced (and how many otherwise?), of which 11 have already been sold to international collectors.
The price? The starting point is 480.000 euros plus VAT. A price list that is stellar to say the least, but which does not clash with a special car like the Kimera EVO37. This car has already bewitched many fans, which perhaps they had not forgotten about Lancia and 037 as some want to think. And even those who did not know this legendary car are now surely in love with it. Our congratulations to the young Kimera Automobili, who has made a dream and an incredible car practically from scratch, which we hope with all our hearts to see soon and maybe provare per vothe. And you, what did you think of it? Do you like this Kimera EVO37? Did you already know the history of the incredible Lancia 037? Let us know below in the comments, we are waiting for you!
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