Kimera EVO38 Collezione Martini – The Ultimate Rally-Inspired Supercar Tribute

 The Kimera EVO38 Collezione Martini is not just another restomod or boutique supercar; it is a deliberate attempt to recreate a lost era of motorsport excess and emotion while injecting it with modern engineering precision. Based on the already extreme EVO38, this Martini edition pushes the concept further with more power, more cooling technology, and of course, the iconic Martini racing livery that instantly connects it to rally history. Built in extremely limited numbers and priced at around €1.15 million, it exists in a space where collector obsession meets engineering experimentation. What makes it stand out is not only its performance figures but its philosophy: it is unapologetically analog in feel, yet brutally modern in execution. With exposed mechanical components, aggressive aero detailing, and a lightweight carbon-intensive structure, the Collezione Martini feels like a Group B prototype that somehow survived into the present day and evolved rather than disappeared.

The Spirit of the Lancia 037 Legacy

At the heart of the EVO38’s identity is its deep connection to the legendary Lancia 037, one of the last rear-wheel-drive cars to win the World Rally Championship during the golden era of Group B rallying. The original 037 was raw, mechanical, and famously difficult to control, yet it succeeded through precision engineering and fearless driving. Kimera’s approach is not to replicate it literally, but to reinterpret its philosophy for a modern audience. The wide stance, boxy proportions, central driving focus, and aggressive rally stance all echo the original car’s DNA. However, underneath the nostalgia lies a completely re-engineered platform built with carbon fiber, modern suspension geometry, and advanced aerodynamics. The EVO38 does not pretend to be a museum piece; instead, it behaves like a continuation of what the 037 could have become if Group B had not been cancelled. This emotional bridge between past and present is what gives the car its identity beyond performance numbers.

Martini Livery and Visual Drama

The Collezione Martini edition is visually defined by one of the most iconic racing liveries in motorsport history. The blue, red, and light striping over a clean base color instantly evokes decades of rally dominance and endurance racing heritage. On the EVO38’s angular carbon-fiber bodywork, the livery does more than decorate—it emphasizes every surface, vent, and aerodynamic contour. The car is offered in select base finishes such as Pearl White, Vermouth Red, and Dry Green, each chosen to complement the historic Martini graphics in different emotional tones. Beyond the paintwork, the design includes rally-inspired auxiliary lights, exposed aerodynamic elements, and functional vents that serve cooling and airflow management purposes. Nothing on the body feels superficial; even the aesthetic choices are tied to performance or heritage storytelling. The result is a machine that looks like it is moving even when stationary, capturing the spirit of 1980s rally cars while maintaining the precision of modern hypercar construction techniques.

Engine, Power, and Mechanical Violence

Powering the EVO38 Collezione Martini is a heavily developed 2.1-liter twin-charged four-cylinder engine that combines supercharging and turbocharging for maximum responsiveness and top-end performance. In this configuration, output rises to approximately 631 horsepower with 516 lb-ft of torque, which is extraordinary for such a small displacement engine without hybrid assistance. The engine is designed to rev to 8,200 rpm, delivering a sharp, mechanical character that prioritizes engagement over refinement. Unlike modern hypercars that rely on electronic smoothing and hybrid torque fill, this engine is tuned for directness and immediacy. The power delivery is aggressive, building rapidly under boost while maintaining strong mid-range punch. A six-speed manual transmission channels power to an all-wheel-drive system, ensuring traction while preserving driver involvement. The result is a driving experience that feels deliberately unfiltered, where the driver is constantly interacting with mechanical forces rather than simply supervising automated systems. It is a modern interpretation of rally brutality.

E85 Fuel, Cooling Systems, and Engineering Focus

One of the most significant upgrades in the Collezione Martini is its compatibility with E85 ethanol fuel, a high-octane renewable blend that allows the engine to produce higher power levels safely under extreme conditions. This fuel choice is not just about performance but also about thermal management and combustion efficiency. To support this, Kimera has implemented advanced cooling systems, including additional intercoolers and high-pressure water spray technology designed to reduce intake temperatures during sustained high-load driving. Airflow management has also been improved through revised front intakes and venting systems that help regulate both engine and damper temperatures. A ceramic exhaust system is used to withstand the extreme thermal stress generated during aggressive driving. These engineering solutions highlight the car’s motorsport-inspired philosophy: everything exists to sustain performance under pressure, not to prioritize convenience or comfort. The EVO38 is essentially designed as a track-capable rally weapon that happens to be road legal, rather than a road car attempting to behave like a race car.

Chassis, Weight, and Driving Experience

Despite its complex engineering and added performance systems, the EVO38 maintains a remarkably low weight of around 1,100 kilograms, placing it in a category that is increasingly rare in modern performance cars. This lightweight construction is achieved through extensive use of carbon fiber and minimalist design principles that eliminate unnecessary bulk. The chassis is rigid and purpose-built for dynamic response, allowing the suspension to operate with precision over varying surfaces. Combined with all-wheel drive and a manual gearbox, the driving experience is designed to be highly interactive and physically engaging. Steering response is expected to be immediate, while the suspension setup balances rally-inspired compliance with track-level control. The car is not engineered to isolate the driver from the road but to amplify every input and surface change. This creates a driving character that is demanding but rewarding, especially on winding roads where its lightweight nature and high power output can be fully exploited. It is a machine built for skill rather than comfort.

Racing Heritage and Emotional Design Philosophy

Beyond specifications, the EVO38 Collezione Martini is deeply rooted in emotional design philosophy. It is not simply a performance machine but a tribute to an era when rally cars were raw, dangerous, and deeply characterful. The design language reflects this through exposed mechanical components, visible structural elements, and a deliberate avoidance of over-polished surfaces. Even the engine is partially visible at the rear, emphasizing mechanical honesty. The inclusion of Martini branding reinforces the connection to a time when motorsport sponsorships became cultural icons, not just commercial partnerships. Kimera’s philosophy appears to be focused on preserving the emotional intensity of driving rather than optimizing convenience or digital integration. In a modern automotive world dominated by screens and software, the EVO38 stands as a counterpoint that prioritizes sensation, sound, and physical feedback. It is designed to make the driver feel connected not only to the car but to a specific historical narrative of motorsport bravery and innovation.

Production Rarity and Pricing Exclusivity

The Collezione Martini is produced in extremely limited numbers, with Kimera describing availability as “vanishingly limited,” ensuring that each example remains a collector-grade object from the moment of its creation. This scarcity is intentional and aligns with the brand’s positioning in the high-end automotive restoration and reinterpretation market. Each car is effectively hand-built, with extensive customization options in livery, finish, and specification. The starting price of approximately €1.15 million places it firmly in the ultra-exclusive segment, competing not with mass-produced supercars but with bespoke hypercar projects and historic reinterpretations. Ownership is therefore less about transportation and more about collecting a piece of automotive art with functional performance capability. The rarity also reinforces its identity as a continuation of motorsport heritage rather than a commercial product. Buyers are not simply purchasing a vehicle; they are securing access to a highly curated interpretation of rally history, executed with modern engineering precision and obsessive attention to detail.

The K-39 Hypercar and Kimera’s Future Direction

Alongside the EVO38 Collezione Martini, Kimera has also confirmed development of its K-39 hypercar, a clean-sheet design that moves beyond restomod territory into fully original engineering. Inspired by the Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo silhouette racers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the K-39 represents a new chapter for the company, where historical inspiration is transformed into entirely new architecture. While details remain limited, it is expected to push Kimera further into the hypercar segment, potentially combining extreme aerodynamics with advanced powertrain development. This shift suggests that the company is evolving from a specialist restomod builder into a manufacturer of bespoke performance machines with their own identity. However, the EVO38 remains the emotional core of the brand, anchoring it in the visceral world of Group B rally nostalgia. Together, these projects indicate a dual direction: preserving the past while actively building a future shaped by that same uncompromising performance philosophy.