Kimera Automobili's reimaginings of the Lancia 037 are works of mechanical art and serious performance, but its next model drops the training wheels in the best possible way. Instead of pushing the limits of restomodding, the new K-39 is Kimera from the ground up. The design might be familiar, but this one is Kimera through and through, with one very notable exception. There's a little bit of hypercar help under that glorious rear clamshell. This Time It's Road Racing, Not Rally Kimera Automobili Instead of taking the 1980s-era World Rally Championship as its design inspiration, the K-39 shoots for the World Endurance Championship. The styling is the company's take on what teams would have created with today's tech and those vintage rules – and mindsets.Kimera doesn't say much about the chassis. It talks about the technical relationship with Dallara, one of the largest race car chassis companies in the world, and that company's expertise is surely a major part of the new design. It also doesn't have much to say about the suspension, though previous Kimeras have had highly custom designs.Kimera Automobili But who wants to spend time talking about the chassis when you've sourced your engine from one of the greatest hypercar companies in the world? A twin-turbo V8 from Koenigsegg (yes, Koenigsegg) sounds more like a swap you'd make in Forza Horizon video game, not the real world. But it's very real.This is Koenigsegg's high-spinning 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8. While some of that company's applications have power outputs closing in on 2,000 horsepower, this one is a little more modest with just 1,000 hp and 885 pound-feet of torque. Yes, we can tell you're disappointed. We are, too. Anything less than 1,500 these days is like driving a busted old minivan.To make the engine work in Kimera's smaller packaging, it has adjustments including a smaller and lighter turbo system, optimized for quicker responses instead of outright power. And it's tuned differently to fit this car's mission, which isn't a mere straight-line rocket. So we can forgive the reduced power. This time. An Engine Worthy Of That Shape Kimera Automobili The engine software can be upgraded over-the-air, and it is monitored through Koenigsegg's cloud service. It can deliver its full performance in every major market, so buyers of this car aren't limited to a handful of countries where it is emissions compliant. The entire engine project marks that start of a new direction for Koenigsegg to help create more cars like this."The K-39 is exactly the kind of project that deserves something truly special: independent, emotional, technically ambitious and built with a clear sense of purpose. 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."- Christian von KoenigseggKimera will take the K-39 racing on a track as lofty as its goals. The brand is taking the car to the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, with more technical help from Koenigsegg on the effort.The company plans to build a limited number of K-39 cars, but it has already sold more than 20 before the car even debuted. An even smaller number of Pikes Peak configuration cars will be built, and they're going to the company's first 10 clients. "Allocated specifically to the first ten clients who believed in the project from the very beginning," Kimera says.Kimera will also race and show the K-39 at Spa and the Le Mans Classic. It will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, The Aurora in Sweden, and other top-level shows around the world. But right now, you can see it at Lake Como.Kimera_K-39Race_FullFront
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