Driving the Kimera EVO37: The Group B Restomod | Henry Catchpole - The Driver’s Seat
906,412
Published 2023-04-26
The Kimera EVO37 is the brainchild of Luca Betti and it combines the looks and layout of the 037 with an engine that takes inspiration from the Lancia Delta S4. The amazing little 2.1-litre four cylinder engine that sits behind the driver is both supercharged and turbocharged. It has been engineered by Italtecnica in Turin and in its most powerful map puts out 505bhp and 442lb ft of torque. That’s pretty wild in a car that weighs less than 1100kg or 2400lb.
As with most restomods, like those from Singer, Alfaholics and Eagle, the Kimera is a very analogue driving experience. To that end, there is a manual six-speed gearbox from Graziano, which has also featured in the Lamborghini Gallardo and Audi R8 over the years. What differentiates the EVO37 from other restomods is its very distinct rally persona. You can see this in the twin Ohlins dampers at the rear, but you can feel it straight away on the move through the steering and the way it soaks up bumps and tackles corners.
In the film we cover a lot of ground, starting at the beautiful Villa Kimera just outside Cuneo in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Here we interview Luca Betti and discover the genesis of both the company name and the EVO37. Then we head to the beautiful Colle della Maddalena and its profusion of spectacular hairpins to drive the car on the road. Then it’s off to Turin for a visit to Italtecnica where the engine is built, before we pop over to Martini for a look at the latest, limited edition Kimera. Finally we stop off at a fun little race track to drive Kimera’s development car with shorter gearing and more power.
We hope you enjoy the film and Glenn Winhall’s superb editing and filming (aided on this occasion by Nick Wilkinson). Please do give it a thumbs up and share it with anyone else who you think might enjoy it - it really helps us to keep making content like this on the Hagerty channel.
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All Comments (21)
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If I had the money, I would definitely pick this over pretty much any production supercar
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Hagerty has assembled the absolute dream team of car journalists. Camissa, Pobst, AND Catchpole! Driving the modern Stradale?!
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that is absolutely art on wheels.
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The car was impressive, but everything else about this video was equally impressive. The cinematography is excellent and stood out even more than your typical high quality videos.
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I've been following and enjoying Henry's work since his EVO days and I've come to this conclusion: he's a lucky bugger, isn't he... 😆
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I am penniless. If I were rich, I would buy this one. Lancia 037 was one of my favourites when I was a child ! Congratulations, Kimera EVO37 is a very beautiful gemstone
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So obsessed with this thing. It looks and sounds like nothing else
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Perfection, they looked good when they were released, this takes it to another level.
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Insanely beautiful car. It has left me speechless.
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I have been following this car for a few years now. It is my dream car and I don’t think anything else will change that.
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Incredible work of engineering at an incredible price. Films like these are the only time we will see and hear this beautiful machine.
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I wish to make three points: First, bravo Henry, you are without a doubt one of the very best at what you do both in the content and the cinematography. Second, OMG what a jaw droppingly exquisite car! And in the Martini livery at the end…. absolutely epic! Third, very impressed with the Italian dude’s beard 😀
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That Martini 7 is stunning!
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This has got to be one of the sexiest cars ever built. Right I there with the f40. I’m a sucker for late 80s and early 90s styling and this is a winner. They power train in this also would be an absolute blast to drive. A complete edge of your seat drive through and through.
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This literally brought a tear to my eye. As a young lad I watch Group B rallies over and over and again on vhs. It was like a drug , I couldn't even blink in case I missed a split second of the action. The sound of the 037 was just skin tingling insanity. The fact these guys have brought back my childhood memories in the dedicated way they have is emotional for me. I just wished I could hug them or at least shake their hands. Thanks Kimera team and thanks Henry. Words can't describe this feeling, nothing holds a candle to 1980's Motorsport. Lost forever now but never ever forgotten.
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Maybe it's a sign of the times that I look at this thing and think "Half a million? What a bargain!". When I look around at the sea of mundane automated supercars chasing pointless performance numbers at the expense of the experience it's cars like this and the things coming out of GMA which haven't forgotten where the joy of driving really stems from that keep my enthusiast flame lit.
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I dont think ive been this struck in awe by a car since i was a kid. This thing is absolute perfection.
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Love that Henry gets to keep making films his way, but now with Hagerty. These pieces are always a joy to watch and listen to. And this car is just so *right*.
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as an old rally fan i've got goosebumps. this car is a dream.
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18:47 oh my GOD, this is beyond beautiful, what an amazing looking machine and what a great homage
