Kimera Automobili Review: The Italian Restomod Brand Reimagining Legendary Rally Cars

Some modern supercars are faster. Some are more expensive. And some are packed with more technology than a Formula 1 simulator. But very few manage to create the kind of emotional response that Kimera Automobili does.

At a time when the automotive industry is rapidly moving toward electrification and digitalization, Kimera decided to go in the opposite direction. The Italian manufacturer builds cars that celebrate mechanical purity, raw driving emotion, and one of the greatest eras in rally history.

And honestly, that is exactly why enthusiasts cannot stop talking about them.

Founded by former racing driver Luca Betti, Kimera Automobili is not trying to compete with Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren in the traditional sense. Instead, the company focuses on something far more niche — ultra-exclusive restomods inspired by legendary Lancia rally cars from the Group B era.

If you are unfamiliar with the term “restomod,” check out our Car Builder Spotlight section, where we cover some of the most exciting modern automotive builders redefining classic performance cars.

In this complete Kimera Automobili review, we will explore the company’s philosophy, its most famous models, engineering details, performance figures, design language, and why these machines have become some of the most desirable enthusiast cars in the world.

The Story Behind Kimera Automobili

To understand Kimera, you first need to understand the obsession behind it.

Founder Luca Betti spent years in motorsport and developed a deep appreciation for one specific era of rally racing — the legendary Group B years of the 1980s. For many enthusiasts, Group B represented the peak of analog motorsport insanity. Lightweight chassis, turbocharged engines, manual transmissions, and almost no electronic assistance created cars that demanded absolute commitment from drivers.

Among the icons of that era was the Lancia 037 — a rear-wheel-drive rally machine that remains one of the most beautiful and charismatic race cars ever built.

Kimera Automobili was essentially born from one simple question:

What if the spirit of the Lancia 037 could be reborn using modern engineering?

The result was the Kimera EVO37.

Unlike many restomod companies that focus mainly on aesthetics, Kimera approached the project almost like a motorsport engineering exercise. The cars combine vintage design with modern materials, improved safety, upgraded suspension systems, and significantly more performance.

But most importantly, they still feel mechanical, emotional, and alive.

Kimera EVO37: The Car That Put Kimera on the Map

The Kimera EVO37 is easily the company’s most famous creation. It is also one of the most talked-about modern restomods in the automotive world.

At first glance, the EVO37 looks like a perfectly restored Lancia 037. But underneath the retro bodywork lies a machine that has been heavily modernized.

Kimera describes the car as an “integration” rather than a simple restoration. And that distinction matters.

A Modern Interpretation of a Rally Legend

The EVO37 uses a lightweight carbon-fiber body combined with a reinforced chassis architecture inspired by the original Lancia platform. The proportions remain faithful to the classic rally icon, but every detail has been refined.

The wide stance, aggressive air intakes, circular headlights, and compact dimensions immediately communicate rally heritage. Yet the execution feels modern rather than nostalgic.

Unlike many retro-inspired supercars that overdo the styling, the EVO37 remains surprisingly elegant.

The Engine and Performance

One of the most fascinating aspects of the EVO37 is its powertrain.

The car uses a 2.1-liter four-cylinder engine developed with direct inspiration from the original Lancia rally units. However, Kimera dramatically modernized the setup by combining both a compressor and a turbocharger.

That dual-charged configuration produces 505 horsepower while maintaining incredibly sharp throttle response.

And because the car weighs just over 1,000 kilograms, performance is absolutely brutal.

• 505 horsepower
• 6 – speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• Extremely lightweight construction
• Modern suspension geometry
• Carbon-fiber body panels

In a world dominated by dual-clutch transmissions and electronic filters, the EVO37 feels refreshingly raw.

Drivers constantly describe the experience as intense, mechanical, and deeply engaging — exactly what enthusiasts have been missing from many modern performance cars.

Interior Design

The cabin of the EVO37 follows the same philosophy as the exterior.

It feels purposeful without becoming stripped-down or uncomfortable. You get exposed carbon fiber, analog gauges, aluminum switches, racing-inspired seats, and handcrafted Italian materials throughout the interior.

There are modern conveniences hidden beneath the classic aesthetic, but the driving experience always remains the priority.

According to Top Gear, the EVO37 successfully captures the spirit of Group B rallying while introducing modern engineering and reliability.

Automotive publication Motor1 also praised the car for preserving analog driving engagement in a modern performance package.

Kimera EVO37 Specs

Kimera EVO38: Taking the Formula Even Further

If the EVO37 celebrated the original Lancia 037, the Kimera EVO38 pushes the concept even further toward Group B extremism.

The EVO38 was designed as a tribute to what the Lancia 037 could have become if rally regulations had evolved differently.

And visually, it looks absolutely insane.

A More Aggressive Direction

Compared to the EVO37, the EVO38 features wider bodywork, more aggressive aerodynamics, larger intakes, and a significantly more intimidating stance.

The design language still clearly references classic Lancia rally cars, but the proportions feel almost futuristic.

It looks less like a restored classic and more like an alternate-universe homologation special from the golden age of rallying.

Performance Expectations

Although Kimera has remained selective about certain technical details, expectations surrounding the EVO38 are understandably massive.

The company is known for focusing heavily on driver engagement rather than simply chasing horsepower numbers. That means lightweight engineering, responsive steering, precise chassis tuning, and analog feedback remain central to the experience.

And that approach is exactly why collectors and enthusiasts are paying close attention.

Unlike many modern hypercars that prioritize straight-line acceleration statistics, Kimera builds cars that are designed to feel alive on real roads.

Kimera K39: A New Chapter for the Brand

The Kimera K39 represents another major evolution for the company.

While the EVO37 and EVO38 are deeply tied to rally heritage, the K39 appears to expand Kimera’s identity into something broader and potentially more future-focused.

The K39 demonstrates that Kimera does not want to become a one-project company.

Instead, the brand is slowly building an entire universe around Italian craftsmanship, motorsport-inspired engineering, and emotionally driven performance cars.

Why Enthusiasts Love Kimera Automobili

There are countless exotic car manufacturers today. So why has Kimera managed to generate such strong attention from enthusiasts and collectors?

The answer comes down to authenticity.

Many modern performance cars have become incredibly fast, but they also feel increasingly disconnected from the driving experience. Electric steering systems, digital interfaces, artificial sound enhancement, and aggressive electronic intervention have changed how modern cars communicate with drivers.

Kimera goes in the opposite direction.

The company builds cars that prioritize sensation over numbers.

Mechanical Engagement

Manual gearboxes, lightweight construction, aggressive turbo response, and analog feedback create an experience that feels much closer to classic motorsport than modern luxury performance cars.

Italian Craftsmanship

Every Kimera model feels handcrafted rather than mass-produced.

From the stitching inside the cabin to the bodywork proportions, there is a level of artistry that immediately stands out.

Rarity and Exclusivity

Kimera vehicles are produced in extremely limited numbers.

That exclusivity naturally increases desirability among collectors, but it also allows the company to maintain exceptional attention to detail.

Motorsport Heritage

Unlike companies that simply borrow retro styling cues, Kimera builds cars with genuine motorsport DNA.

The connection to the Lancia rally era is not superficial. It shapes everything from the chassis philosophy to the driving dynamics.

How Kimera Compares to Other Restomod Brands

The restomod industry has exploded in popularity over the past decade.

Companies like Singer, Gunther Werks, and Alfaholics have proven that enthusiasts are willing to pay enormous sums for reimagined classic cars.

But Kimera occupies a particularly interesting niche.

Where Singer focuses heavily on precision and refinement, Kimera feels more emotional and aggressive. There is a certain rawness to the cars that makes them feel closer to motorsport machines than luxury collector vehicles.

And unlike some restomod builders that mainly update aesthetics and interiors, Kimera fundamentally re-engineers the driving experience.

If you enjoy reading about niche automotive manufacturers and performance-focused builders, you should also explore our feature on Encor Series 1, another fascinating project redefining modern enthusiast cars.

Driving Experience: Why Analog Cars Still Matter

One of the reasons Kimera has become so relevant in today’s automotive landscape is timing.

The industry is changing rapidly.

Electric vehicles dominate headlines, autonomous technology continues advancing, and many manufacturers are prioritizing software experiences over mechanical involvement.

That shift creates an interesting effect.

The more digital cars become, the more enthusiasts begin craving analog experiences.

Kimera understands this perfectly.

The company does not build cars to maximize convenience. It builds cars to maximize emotion.

And that emotional connection is becoming increasingly rare.

When you drive a car like the EVO37, you are constantly interacting with the machine. You hear the turbo spool, feel the vibrations through the chassis, work through the manual gearbox, and manage traction yourself.

There is no digital barrier separating the driver from the road.

That experience cannot easily be replicated by software.

Kimera vs Singer vs Gunther Werks

Unlike many luxury-oriented restomod brands, Kimera focuses heavily on raw mechanical engagement and rally-inspired aggression.

Why Kimera Matters in the Modern Automotive World

What makes Kimera especially interesting is timing.

Modern performance cars are becoming faster than ever, but many enthusiasts feel emotionally disconnected from them. Heavy reliance on software, artificial sound enhancement, and digital interfaces has fundamentally changed how modern cars communicate with drivers.

Kimera goes in the opposite direction. The company builds cars that prioritize sensation over convenience, creating an experience that feels increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape.

That emotional authenticity is one of the biggest reasons collectors and enthusiasts are paying close attention to the brand.

Kimera Automobili Pricing and Availability

As expected, Kimera vehicles are incredibly exclusive.

Exact pricing often depends on customization, specifications, and collector demand, but these cars generally sit firmly within ultra-luxury territory.

And despite the high prices, demand remains extremely strong.

Collectors understand that Kimera is producing far more than transportation. These are rolling pieces of motorsport-inspired automotive art.

Limited production numbers also contribute heavily to long-term desirability.

In many ways, Kimera occupies a similar space to boutique watchmakers or coachbuilt automotive brands from previous generations.

Will Kimera Automobili Become a Future Automotive Icon?

It is still a relatively young company, but Kimera has already achieved something extremely difficult in today’s automotive world:

It created a genuine identity.

Many startups struggle because they chase trends instead of creating emotional resonance. Kimera succeeded because the company understands exactly what its audience wants.

Enthusiasts do not simply want speed anymore.

They want character.

And character is something Kimera delivers in massive amounts.

The brand has already earned respect among collectors, journalists, and hardcore enthusiasts because the cars feel authentic rather than manufactured for marketing purposes.

If Kimera continues developing vehicles with the same philosophy, there is a very real chance the company could become one of the defining boutique automotive brands of this era.

Final Thoughts on Kimera Automobili

Kimera Automobili represents something increasingly rare in the modern automotive industry.

Passion.

Not focus-grouped branding. Not artificial performance statistics. Not digital gimmicks.

Just beautifully engineered cars designed to make people feel something.

The EVO37 remains one of the most exciting modern restomods ever created, while the EVO38 and K39 suggest that Kimera is only getting started.

For enthusiasts who still believe driving should feel visceral, emotional, and mechanical, Kimera may be one of the most important boutique manufacturers in the world right now.

And perhaps most importantly, the company proves that automotive passion is still very much alive.

FAQ About Kimera Automobili

What is Kimera Automobili?

Kimera Automobili is an Italian boutique car manufacturer specializing in high-end restomod vehicles inspired by legendary Lancia rally cars.

What is the Kimera EVO37?

The Kimera EVO37 is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Lancia 037 rally car, featuring modern engineering, lightweight materials, and approximately 500 horsepower.

How much does a Kimera EVO37 cost?

Exact pricing varies depending on specifications and customization, but the EVO37 sits firmly within the ultra-exclusive luxury performance segment.

Is Kimera Automobili related to Lancia?

No, Kimera Automobili is an independent company. However, its vehicles are heavily inspired by historic Lancia rally cars.

Why is Kimera Automobili popular?

Kimera has become popular because it combines classic rally-inspired design with modern engineering while maintaining an authentic analog driving experience.

About Car Builder Spotlight

This article is part of our Car Builder Spotlight series, where we explore unique automotive manufacturers, restomod builders, and boutique performance brands from around the world.

If you represent a car manufacturer, tuning company, or automotive startup and would like to be featured on CarGeekTalk, feel free to contact us.

CarGeekTalk also collaborates with selected automotive brands on editorial content, storytelling, and enthusiast-focused media projects.

— Produced in collaboration with Kimera Automobili. —