Lancia 037 successor debuts with AWD

Custom car builder Kimera Automobili has finally demonstrated its EVO38 project car in the flesh. It is heavily inspired by the Lancia 037, but has four driven wheels.

This wasn’t the case with the Italian original or any earlier prototypes revealed by Kimera, so it’s fair to say we are surprised. Furthermore, the car is a mild hybrid now with a 2.2-liter turbo engine assisted by a 48V motor. While the company’s previous creation, the EVO37, used the same engine, it got only 550 PS (542 hp / 405 kW) out of it. The EVO38 runs cleaner and has more torque elasticity while still getting a superior 600 PS (592 hp / 441 kW).

A six-speed manual transmission delivers the momentum to the wheels. The driver gets to enjoy a CNC-machined aluminum gear shifter and a hydraulic handbrake. The entire section of the transmission that enters the cabin is trim-free and exposed for added style points. Last but not least, the suspension is upgraded at all four corners compared to the previous model.

Quite intriguingly, the company claims that the car weighs even less than the EVO37, which was featherweight itself at just 1 metric ton (2,205 pounds). As usual, owners can configure their ride in the way they like, toggling various assists and safeguards, adjusting the stiffness of the suspension and deciding what the per-axle torque distribution will be.