Kimera K-39 Hypercar

Kimera Automobili burst onto the world stage when the company debuted its first restomod a few years ago, the Evo37. The former is modern-day interpretation of the rear-wheel-drive Lancia 037 rally car. The boutique firm followed-up with the Evo38, and AWD version of its sibling, imagining what Lancia might have done if 037 development had continued. The Italian manufacturer has now unveiled its third act, say hello to the Kimera K-39 hypercar, which was unveiled near Lake Como.

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To present the K-39 at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este carries a meaning that goes far beyond the launch of a car. Returning to the shores of Lake Como – a year after the Evo38 made its debut here, and this time with our first hypercar and the entire Kimera family gathered at Villa Flori – is the most authentic way we could have imagined of showing the world who we have become. For Kimera, Villa d’Este has already become a second home
– Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili

Looking Back

Kimera Automobili has deep roots in motorsport. The founder is a former WRC pilot, so its no surprise that the Evo37 and Evo38 take their cues from Lancia rally cars of the early 1980s. The Kimera K-39 looks to the World Sportscar Championship (the precursor to the World Endurance Championship) for inspiration. The newest addition to the range has the prefix ‘K’ because it is not an evolution of an existing donor car, but a Kimera in its own right. Kimera’s website says that the K-39 will be based on a monocoque, we’re assuming constructed of carbon-fibre.

Click here to read about our driving review of the reimagined Stratos.

Shaped by the Wind

In keeping with theme, K-39 draws strong inspiration from the Group 5 Lancia Beta Montecarlo and other racers of the era. We also see hints of Ferrari F40 in the design especially around the rear end. Those twin headlamps stylistically link the K-39 to its stablemates. The body has a wild aerodynamic kit that consists of an aggressive front splitter, a huge rear wing as well as a huge diffuser. There is an S-duct on the front clamshell, along with vents on the fenders and flanks to feed fresh air to the powertrain (more on that in a bit).

Firepower

Kimera has certainly engaged top-level partners for the K-39 project. This includes Koenigsegg – yep that Koenigsegg. The Swedish hypercar maker has developed a twin-turbocharged V8 powerplant for the Kimera K-39. The unit is said to develop 1 000 hp (736 kW) and 1 200 N.m of torque. In typical Koenigsegg fashion the V8 revs to over 8 200 r/min.

We developed a dedicated version of our twin-turbo V8 to match the character Kimera wanted for the K-39, and I am confident that this engine will give the car the performance, response and reliability it needs to express its full potential. This collaboration is also a strong example of how Koenigsegg technology can support selected projects beyond our own cars, when the values and ambition are right
– Christian von Koenigsegg, founder and CEO of Koenigsegg

Motorsport Ambitions

Kimera Automobili has already confirmed that it will have a racing-derived version of the K-39. More interesting is that fact that this car will take on the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in the US. Although there is no timeline on when this will take place. Ahead of that competition outing, the car will be seen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Monterey Car Week and the Le Mans Classic, among other events around the world.

Limited Edition

Kimera’s earlier creations, the Evo37 (37 made) and Evo38 (38 units) were snapped up by eager collectors, indicating a real appetite for cars of this type. The K-39 will also be built in limited numbers, with the company stating that more than 20 cars have already been allocated before the unveiling in Italy. The first ten clients who signed up for the K-39 program will also be privy to a Pikes Peak configuration. The specification includes a dedicated aerodynamic package, applicable appendages
and specific solutions that allow, through targeted and rapid adjustments, a use oriented to the track and track days, while preserving the car’s full road-legal versatility.