Few Italian vehicles are as highly regarded among Group B rally fans as the Lancia 037, which graced our world in a production batch smaller than 300 units. Finding one on the road today would be unthinkable, but a company named Kimera decided to change it.
The team took a normal Lancia Beta Montecarlo and turned it into a restomod that emanates the rally car aura no less strongly than the original did. The OEM bodywork has been stripped away and all-new carbon-fiber panels were mounted on a tubular frame with an integrated roll cage. Dual-wishbone suspension was implemented at both ends and dual dampers were added at the rear for a more modern steering feel.
Just as impressive is the engine bay, which harbors a 2.1-liter inline-four mill driven by both a turbocharger and a supercharger. The resulting output amounts to 507 PS (500 hp / 373 kW) and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. As befits a Lancia 037 replica, it drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The gearbox is the same as the one used in the Lamborghini Gallardo, by the way.
We recommend watching the video at least to hear what the uniquely built engine sounds like. That, and it is impressive how the Kimera EVO37 handles on public roads. It does feel like a purebred rally racer for the road – exactly the way it was envisioned.