The Kimera K39: The Ultimate Pikes Peak Contender Mixing Classic Lancia 037 DNA
Italian restomod builder Kimera has sent shockwaves through the automotive world with the reveal of their latest creation: the Kimera K39. Advancing what's being termed as the first “hyper retromod,” this evocatively styled racer draws heavy inspiration from the legendary Group 5 Lancia Beta Montecarlo. Said to encapsulate this iconic car's ‘silhouette’ construction, the K39 promises an exhilarating blend of classic aesthetics with modern performance.
Central to the K39’s architecture is a cutting-edge carbon fibre monocoque chassis, a major leap from the Lancia Beta Montecarlo shell adopted in its predecessors, the Evo37 and Evo38. By choosing carbon fibre, Kimera offers an ultralight yet incredibly strong foundation designed to handle punishing motorsport conditions. The K39 is expected to retain the twin-charged 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine that powered its forebears. However, true to its daring spirit, the power plant is rumored to deliver well beyond the 600bhp mark quoted for those cars, ensuring an adrenaline-fueled driving experience.
Aiming for Pikes Peak Glory
The Kimera K39 aims to make history at the prestigious 2024 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. This grueling 12.4-mile race to the summit presents a formidable challenge, with the thin, oxygen-starved air ideally suited to electric vehicles, which currently dominate the leaderboard. Kimera’s ambitions are clear: to rival, if not surpass, the record set by the electric VW ID R, clocking in at an astounding 7min 57.148sec. The firm subtly hints at an aggressive tuning strategy for the K39, aimed at capitalizing on every conceivable advantage of its internal combustion setup in an environment that traditionally favors electric powertrains.
Before the era of electric dominance, the record was last held by the astonishing Peugeot 208 T16, whose twin-turbo V6 engine produced a nail-biting 875bhp. Kimera is consequently targeting a significant power boost for the K39, acknowledging that maintaining peak performance in the rarefied air of Pikes Peak demands an engine capable of delivering more than its street-legal counterparts.
Re-Imagined for the Road
Excitingly, after conquering Pikes Peak, a road-going version of the K39 is already in the pipeline. Kimera intends to produce a limited number of these cars, reinforcing their commitment to bringing cutting-edge racing technology back to the road. These street variants will retain the essence of the K39's raw, performance-driven ethos while incorporating the necessary refinements to make them viable for everyday use.
Kimera’s consistent innovation, skillfully bridging the gap between retro charm and futuristic performance, is awe-inspiring. The K39 stands as a testament to the firm’s dedication to pushing boundaries and redefining automotive excellence. Whether tackling the world's most challenging hill climb or cruising along winding mountain roads, the Kimera K39 promises to be an automotive legend in the making.