Engine from hell, soul from Turin. This new restomod is a journey to the golden era of WRC
On this warm afternoon in 1983, the stage is bathed in the golden light of the October sun. At the start of the San Remo Rally , celebrating its quarter-century, no fewer than eight Lancia rally cars are parked. Behind the wheel of one of them is the defending title legend, Walter Röhrl. This is his debut season for the Turin manufacturer, a very successful season. This rally could decide Lancia's victory in the constructors' championship and tip the scales in Röhrl's favour in the drivers' championship.
In the end, another Lancia 037 with Markku Alén at the wheel wins, so the disappointed German will end the season in 2nd place. Lancia as a team was luckier – they beat Audi in the constructors' classification and took the top laurels.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsForty years later, a strikingly similar machine is hitting the streets of Italy. The white body with eight eyes is decorated with the Martini Racing lettering and characteristic blue and red stripes on the sides, as if taken straight from a rally stage. The only difference is the manufacturer – Lancia has been out of the sports car world for years, and the modern 037 has a different badge, with a winged lion with ram's horns and the words Kimera Automobili.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsThe Kimera Martini 7 is a restomod like no other. First of all, the car is based on the limited Lancia 037. Only 200 of these were made, and today they exceed the threshold of half a million dollars at auctions.
The second thing is the reference to a beautiful rally history. The Lancia 037 was the last rear-wheel drive car to win the WRC world championship. In 1984, the dominance of 4x4 cars began permanently. The name of the special edition is also not accidental.
The Martini 7 is a continuation of the special line of Lancia, which launched the Delta Martini 5 and 6 in the early 1990s, in fitting celebration of the number of championship titles won.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsStructurally, the Kimera is based on the same chassis as the original from 40 years ago, the Lancia Beta Montecarlo. The same is true for the engine. Both cars were powered by a four-cylinder inline design.
Previously prepared by Abarth, today by Italtecnica and the same chief engineer as before – Claudio Lombardi. He, using both a turbocharger and a compressor, squeezed out 505 horsepower from the two-litre design, which translated into great performance and a sprint to 100 km/h in around three and a half seconds.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsSuch dynamics would not be possible without low weight. Extensive use of carbon fiber (instead of fiberglass) allowed to reduce the weight to 1100 kg. An impressive result, even more so if we take into account contemporary improvements, equipment elements (e.g. air conditioning) and improved safety.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsRally purists can also remove the rear bumper to expose the gearbox cover and beautiful, white ceramic exhausts. Impressive spoilers at the front and rear provide downforce, while five-point seat belts keep the driver in his seat.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsTheir rally-style, classic nature contrasts beautifully with the oceanic Alcantara upholstery, which, apart from the seats, covers the panorama of the dashboard. Where there is no stitching, the console reveals its carbon interior, and the pulsating life in the gauges is blood-red.
Kimera EVO37 Martini / press materialsIn the center of the cabin reigns the beautiful gear shift knob with exposed components, known from other future classics – the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo.
Regardless of the edition, production of the Kimera 037 will end with, of course, 37 units. The lucky ones who got on the waiting list must count on spending around 850 thousand euros.
