Italian-based Kimera Automobili pays homage to Martini Racing’s Group B hero with a limited-run Lancia 037 restomod.
Following the launch of its original Lancia 037 restomod in 2021, Italian outfit Kimera Automobili has revealed a new limited-run take, inspired by Martini Racing’s iconic Group B racer. Developed in collaboration with two-time World Rally Champion Miki Biasion and Martini, just 37 examples will be produced, with prices expected to exceed the £415,000 (AUD$780,000) of its original car.
Kimera’s EVO37 is not built from one of the few, and very special originals, but built from scratch in a similar construction method with modern materials and techniques. The chassis itself is a bespoke monocoque built from tube steel, with subframes directly welded to it on either side. The steel structure is then clothed in bespoke carbonfibre panels, replacing the original kevlar composite units.
While it features the same underpinnings as the original EVO37, the Martini 7 adopts a new carbonfibre aerodynamics package, applying a new front splitter, side skirts, more aggressive in-built canards and NACA ducts aft of the doors and on the rear haunches. The use of more carbonfibre and carbonkevlar in the Martini 7 is said to drop weight to 1100kg.
Continuing the motorsport theme, the rear has received a complete overhaul, with new carbonfibre air vents framing a transparent engine cover to reveal its rally-inspired power plant. The rear bumper is also now equipped with a quick disconnect mechanism, allowing buyers to display the gearbox casing and ceramic coated exhaust system in all its glory, just like the Group B 037.
As in the homologation car, the forged double wishbone suspension has a long-travel design, with dual Ohlins dampers flanking the separated spring at the rear and a more compact coilover design on the front end.
Like the structure, the engine is also referenced by the original, running a new-build 2.1-litre four-cylinder engine that is both turbo and supercharged. Unlike the original, however, the supercharger will be electrically driven, so as not to bleed power away from the engine itself as all purely mechanical units do.
The engine’s development has been overseen by one of Lancia’s original powertrain engineers Claudio Lombardi, and thanks to the advances in engine technology is said to produce 404kW in Martini 7 trim, up 36kW on the original EVO37. The engine will power the rear wheels via either a six-speed manual, or six-speed sequential transmission, the latter operable via electro-mechanically actuated paddles behind the steering wheel – in-line with its motorsport connection, ratios are shortened in Martini 7-trim.
The overall design remains similar to the original restomod, reworking the Lancia 037’s iconic design with the aid of modern, high-tech carbonfibre manufacturing techniques. Details, like the front and rear lighting, mesh inserts and wheels are also new, the latter being of a much larger 18- and 19-inch staggered design to clear the modern brake package. The Martini 7 receives new wheels inspired by those originally featured on the Delta Evoluzione, created with weight-saving in mind and incorporating the yellow/black carbon-kevlar of Delta group A cars.
Inside, Kimera has opted for a tasteful dry carbonfibre and blue Alcantara theme, with the dials coming with the same orange backlight as the racer. A unique limited-edition plaque, enamel Miki Biasion/Martini dashboard logo and Martini Racing harnesses also feature, with the main control panel labelled exactly how it was in the race car. Being a modern recreation, Kimera has also incorporated a second control panel in the centre console for fine tuning of the ABS and traction control.
A total of 37 Kimera EVO37 Martini 7s will be produced, joining 37 of the original recreation.