A Reimagined Lancia 037: Enter the EVO37
Odds are you’ve heard of Lancia. They make cars, and fast ones at that. Lancia is also one of the most prominent names in rally racing. Spanning multiple generations, their cars have won the brand the World Rally Championship a record ten times. One of those winning cars was the Lancia 037. It was the last rear-wheel-drive car to win before Audi and all-wheel drive changed the game forever. Now, a small manufacturer has remastered the 037 for the modern age.
Who are Kimera Automobili?
Kimera Automobili is not a household name. They’re a small Italian brand that essentially exists for one purpose: reimagining the Lancia 037. Boy did they, but more on that later. Based in the small town of Cuneo, Italy, the automaker is new to the game. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, Kimera clearly have a single purpose in mind.
Kimera is very serious about the EVO37. The company even went to the trouble of sourcing the original engineer for the 037, Claudio Lombardi. That’s not all, Kimera’s founder, Luca Betti is serious too. Betti, according to Kimera’s website, is an accomplished rally driver winning numerous championships over his ten-year career. Moreover, all this skill and talent at Kimera has gone into the production of the EVO37
What’s new with the EVO37
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Kimera’s mirror of the Lancia 037 is a bespoke piece, and its price reflects that. Fitting the name, only 37 will be produced at an eye-watering $586,100 USD. However, you do get quite a lot of car for the price. The EVO37 is powered by a similar powerplant to the Lancia, an inline four-cylinder producing 505 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This figure is more than double the original 037’s power figure, which made around 205 hp and 165 lb-ft.
What’s more, the EVO37 will be driven by a choice of two transmissions: either a six-speed manual or a six-speed sequential unit. Whatever the transmission, all that power is sure to make the EVO37 a riot. The interior takes inspiration from Lancia as well. Seats are modeled after the legendary Delta S4 with the rest of the cabin bathed in carbon and leather. From a design standpoint, it’s hard to argue with Kimera. The EVO37 really does look modern, with heavy nods to the O.G 037, from the wheels to the duck-tail spoiler.
The Lancia 037 still stands tall
Reimagining a car is a big task. An often much smaller company has to perfect and improve on a much older design while also maintaining some sense of individuality and a connection to the inspiration. The 037 is a hard act to follow on top of all that. It’s one of the most legendary rally cars in history, taking home a total of six wins across its lifespan. How the EVO37 stacks up against Lancia’s original 037 remains to be seen, and the EVO37 will make its debut at Goodwood later this year.
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