Итальянский автомобильный стартап Kimera Automobili представил рестомод Evo37 — современное переосмысление
раллийного купе Lancia 037 первой половины 80-х.
Lancia 037 была первым автомобилем, специально созданным для раллийной группы B. Заводская команда Lancia Martini выступала на этой машине в чемпионате мира по ралли на протяжении пяти сезонов, с 1982 по 1986 год. За это время Lancia 037 принесла итальянской команде шесть побед на этапах WRC и один чемпионский титул в зачёте производителей.
Эта машина стала последним заднеприводником, успешным на высшем уровне — в чемпионате мира по ралли. И, пожалуй, самым красивым автомобилем «группы Б» — его дизайн разрабатывали в ателье Pininfarina.
За проектом возрождения легендарного купе стоит бизнесмен, раллист и спортивный менеджер Лука Бетти. Итальянец собрал команду конструкторов-ветеранов, которые в начале 80-х разрабатывали оригинальную Лянчу 037: Серджио Лимоне занимался шасси нового автомобиля, Клаудио Ломбарди готовил двигатель, а инженер Витторио Роберти отвечал за постройку первого опытного образца.
Интересно, что Kimera Evo37 — не просто внешняя имитация легендарной Лянчи. Создатели рестомода развили исходную конструкцию 80-х годов, как если бы и в самом деле проектировали новую эволюцию Лянчи — что-то вроде никогда не существовавшей Lancia 037 Evo 4.
Например, настоящую Лянчу 037 строили на основе серийного купе Lancia Beta Monte Carlo: от него заимствовали центральную часть кузова, к которому спереди и сзади приваривали оригинальные трубчатые подрамники с двухрычажными подвесками. У «Кимеры» подрамники развили и соединили между собой, создав полноценную пространственную раму. А сам кузов сократили до минимума, сохранив от него лишь несколько приварных элементов — пол, проёмы дверей, рамку лобового стекла, фрагмент крыши. Шасси готовят в небольшой мастерской Bonetto CV близ Турина.
Сохранили и архитектуру подвесок — двухрычажную, на задней оси — с двумя амортизаторами на колесо. Но геометрия пересмотрена, рычаги выточены из алюминия, амортизаторы — современные Öhlins, собранные на фирме Andreani Group. Тормоза — c моноблочными четырёхпоршневыми суппортами Brembo и составными дисками с алюминиевой ступицей.
Двигатель в основе своей тоже прежний — четырёхцилиндровый мотор 232 AR4 с чугунным блоком, 16-клапанной головкой Abarth и компрессором Volumex, созданный на основе легендарного Fiat Twin Cam конструкции Аурелио Лампреди.
Но Клаудио Ломбарди, по сути, разработал его заново: рабочий объём увеличили до 2,2 литров и снабдили двигатель изощрённой системой наддува с турбиной и объёмным нагнетателем — по образу и подобию мотора от раллийной Lancia Delta S4 (который разрабатывал всё тот же Ломбарди). За изготовление, сборку и испытания отвечала известная мастерская Italtecnica. Точные характеристики пока не объявлены: известно, что мощность превышает 500 лошадиных сил, максимальный крутящий момент — около 550 Нм. Необычный двигатель агрегатирован с проверенной выносливой коробкой передач Graziano L140 от Lamborghini Gallardo.
В дизайне купе Kimera Evo37 обыгрываются все самые характерные черты Лянчи: угловатый передок с двумя парами круглых фар, капот с характерным бугром по центру, косой разъём крышки моторного отсека, «уши» боковых воздухозаборников и здоровенный спойлер на задке. Но форма кузовных деталей иная, а оптика — нарочито современная, светодиодная. Навесные панели кузова выполнены из углепластика. Вес машины должен составить всего 950 килограммов.
В общей сложности планируется выпустить 37 экземпляров возрождённого купе. Причём 11 автомобилей уже заказаны.
Cuneo, 22 may 2021 - Albert Einstein said that "the imagination stimulates progress, giving rise to. evolution". It is precisely thanks to the imagination but also to knowledge, dedication and profound respect that Kimera Automobili has given life to an “Autentica Evoluzione".
Kimera EVO37 has its origins from the past, to give rebirth to a world motorsport icon, bringing it to the highest level of performances development likewise that car has been conceived nowadays, by modern knowledge and technologies.
The result of this chrono-cultural fusion is an authentic road legal "fuoriserie", inspired by a glorious Italian racing car, realized with a contemporary design and a cutting edge making process. With excellent methodologies typical of the automotive industry and the best modern technology: 3D scanning, reverse engineering, CAD, CAE, rapid prototyping, CNC milling, sintering, electronics and the "non plus ultra" of the technological solutions available.
A car that, inspired by the Restomod philosophy, takes this concept to the extreme by combining style, flavor and charm of one of the most legendary racing "queens" of the 80s, with the. characteristics of a modern car in terms of technology, quality and performance.
A tribute to those legendary cars of the 80s protagonists of the World Rally Championships, including the last Group B 2-wheel drive to win the world title, beating the all-wheel drive rivals. An icon who became a cult model for motoring enthusiasts.
The project was conceived with deep respect for the past, immediately involving the same working group who gave life to the cars that inspired the EVO37.
Franco "Inox" Innocenti, transmitted to Kimera Automobili the imprinting of the methodical workshop work, Eng. Claudio Lombardi has therefore completely revised the engine, Eng. Sergio Limone has seen and approved the setting of the chassis and the layout of the new car, which according to his advice has not been overturned, while Eng. Vittorio Roberti oversaw the correct assembly process and use of the car's materials. World Champion Miki Biasion was also involved from the beginning.
Other great names from the Italian motorsport scene joined the group and the result is a strong technical team which includes top companies from Turin hinterland specialized in car production.
Historic companies that are part of that Piedmontese automotive supply chain, which still has a lot to say and give. Names very well known to insiders: Italtecnica, Bonetto CV, Maps, LAM Stile, Bellasi, CiElle Tronics, Sparco, together with other Italian excellences like Goodwool, Pakelo, Andreani - Ohlins, Brembo and Pirelli.
Companies that represent a technical and cultural heritage which deserves a great enhancement, especially during the specific phase Italian automotive industry is experiencing nowadays.
The starting point of the EVO37, as at the time for the original car, is the central cage of the chassis of the Lancia Beta Montecarlo, to which are anchored two tubular frames, on the front and rear. On this chassis Bonetto CV defined the set-up and the dynamics of the vehicle. In the EVO37, the tubular structure is self-supporting, as for the Delta S4, in which the cage is only the "shell" of the frame/roll-bar of the driver cockpit.
EVO37 has Pirelli wide section run-flat tyres: 18” for the front and 19” for the rear. Suspensions are totally re-designed, keeping the old scheme but evolved, with adjustable Öhlins.shock-absorbers; the upgraded braking system, by Brembo, is available with traditional or carboceramic specs.
With a long, rigorous and detailed engineering activity, Kimera Automobili creates a completely new "fuoriserie", which combines all the finest modern technologies and materials, carbon, kevlar, titanium, steel and aluminium. The result is a unique "piece of art", that represents the maximum expression of all the characteristics inherent in the DNA of the original car, exponentially optimized and embellished by modern technology: a bolide with over 500 hp and 550 Nm of torque!
The engine is made up from the original monobloc of the legendary Group B car but it has been completely redesigned and re-engineered by Italtecnica, under the guidance and leadership of Claudio Lombardi, the father of all the legendary rally cars of the Martini Racing team.
Kimera Automobili has therefore ennobled, through modern technological processes, all the mechanical components that have decreed the many successes of the Martini Racing Team in the world rally championships, thanks to a process of scans, redesign, reinterpretation and creation of new mathematics and drawings that made it possible to build the EVO37.
EVO37 design was conceived by Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, and revisited, optimized and developed, while remaining strongly faithful to the primordial line, by a team of designers. The search for style and details that characterize the EVO37 line, wants to be a tribute and a celebration of the Italian models that won in the rallies of the 80s and 90s.
Wise and careful interventions are aimed to highlight the vehicle muscular lines, its typical front with four headlights and rally inspired wheels, as many distinctive features as possible that recall to the mind both the character of the Groupe B "last queen", and that of the sisters who have followed her over time, from which EVO37 takes inspiration.
Everything is "mixed" with wisdom and taste, to create a real harmonious, balanced, gritty and elegant four-wheeled "sculpture".
Kimera EVO37 summarizes and synthesizes totally Italian know-how, taste and expertise, especially from Turin, which have produced the four-wheeled models that have entered the Olympus of motorsport and automotive.
Turin “Automotive-Valley” knowledge and potential can offer to Italy the conditions to grow and act as a protagonist again, in automotive fields where Italy itself has been excelling in a long time: design, research, projecting, prototyping and production of high performing standard cars and racing ones. Third millennium automotive Renaissance is running even through high technology niche projects and exclusive intuitions.
Kimera Automobili takes care of projecting phases and production of its cars with the same methodology and industrial processes of the most famous and important car brands, but the plus is the meticulousness and craftsmanship of details and innovative materials. To realise this project,
Kimera Automobili involves the best specialists and suppliers in the automotive field. Kimera is an automotive brand whose mission is to evolve legendary cars, with respect for the past combined with the use of today's technologies.
The company values can be summed up in the passion for cars and the excellence of work, in compliance with intellectual and cultural heritage, enhancement of local expertise and celebration of quality and originality.
Company’s name takes inspiration from the myth of Chimera, the winged lioness, which is its symbol too. Kimera’s meaning is also a personal metaphor for Luca Betti himself, who turns this utopistic belief into a concrete reality and makes dreams reborn, live and shine again.
Company’s headquarter is in Cuneo, at Villa Kimera, a sumptuous and noble residence of XVII century rounded by a beautiful and lush Italian garden, in a private park. In this stunning location there are offices, assembly department divided into single unit in a perfect motorsport style and the
Kimera Automobili garage, besides many other areas intended to hospitality necessities and special events.
Founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili is Luca Betti. Born in Cuneo and son of art: his parents and relatives were drivers who played main roles in motor racing during Seventies and Eighties. From an early age, he devotes his life to his greatest passion, the motorsport and became a professional driver. He collected a lot of successes in over 15 years, with memorable victories in many races and championships. Meanwhile, he has been started business activities in multiple fields. One of them is Kimera Motorsport, his personal racing team, with which he conquered significant goals both as a driver and a manager. He also managed Abu Dhabi Junior Team and some other activities for Red Bull, Ford and Peugeot Sport.
Champions of legendary Martini Racing team who run the World Rally Championship will be the testers and ambassadors of Kimera Automobili.
A special mention goes to Miki Biasion, who from the beginning has been carrying on the development of the EVO37 and will test the car with Luca Betti and some other great drivers.
«The best thing a dressed man can do, is drifting» says Biasion, who is instilling in this vehicle his. long and deep experience.
Kimera Automobili thinks that this tailor-made special car could raise a great interest all over the world due to its performance, technical content, and reminiscent impact.
Kimera EVO37 will be assembled into 37 models only, in limited and numbered series. 11 of them have already been sold to important car collectors from all over the world even before official presentation.
EVO37 will be delivered to international buyers from a base price of 480,000 Euro and the commercial distribution will be managed by Kimera Automobili and exclusive partners.
The official presentation of Kimera EVO37 will take place in July, during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Release of first models to the clients, currently in production, is scheduled from September.