Following closely in the footsteps of the EVO37, with which Kimera Automobili made its debut on the automotive scene back in 2021, we now get its successor: the EVO38; as its name suggests, only a limited run of 38 units will be produced and you might have already guessed it, all have been spoken for .
Powerrrr
(Jeremy Clarkson would be proud) The figures have now increased to 600 HP and 580 N-m from the previous numbers of 505 HP and 550 N-m of torque in the EVO37, all of this thanks to a lot of re-engineering going into various parts, but it is still based on the same twin-charged* (yes) 2,150cc four-banger from Lampredi.
*Twin-Charged = Turbo + Super-charged, at the same time
Changes done
The turbo is now larger in size and as before, it works in combination with the volumetric compressor (fancy word for super-charger) continously while also having improved ECU management, an electro-actuated clutch and one of the main talking points: an electric pop-off valve which employs ‘true’ anti-lag in the double forced induction setup.
VTEC just kicked in, yo?
Not really, that would be sacrilege; although the ignition timing will now varies considerably with the newer cams, valves and springs that have evolved to increase the maximum engine speed and the newly integrated variable valve timing guarantees more power, increased torque available at the lower revs.
Flamethrower!
Notably, the engineers also thought of the possibility of equipping the turbo with a direct centralized exhaust outlet at the rear but refrained from doing so as not to ‘ruin’ the styling and design langauge of the car, but in reality to mainly make the car road legal and meet the strict Euro-5 emissions, sound norms (winky face).
Drivetrain
As for the transmission used, it is still a six-speed manual, but with shorter gear ratios than on the EVO37 and the manufacturer will also offer an electro-actuated sequential gearbox version that will make the car a true ‘race weapon’ which can be unleashed on everyday roads (the auto-makers’ words, not ours).
Rally, Drift or both?
The EVO38 is integrale (All Wheel Drive in Italian) unlike its predeccesor and is controlled through a sophisticated ‘repartition’ system and an electro hydraulic differential lock, just like the World Rally Cars (WRC) of the early 2000s. It allows the differentials to be calibrated directly from the cockpit, giving the driver the ability to manage the percentage of traction split between the front and rear wheels, as well as managing the differential lock and this also means that the car can be exclusively in (RWD) rear wheel drive mode.
Light-Footed
Despite the presence of (AWD) all wheel drive now, it still tips the scales at the same feather-light 1,100 Kg as the EVO37. To achieve all this, the additional mass due to the transmission on the front axle was compensated through the use of more carbon fiber and titanium; which as we all know are both extremely light yet sturdy materials.
Control Room
Speaking of the cockpit again, even the suspension settings can be adjusted by controls on the steering wheel via the motorized shock absorbers and a lift system is present as well to increase ground clearance when in rally mode for rough and off-road fun (though I doubt anyone will be doing this).
The rear chassis retains the centrally mounted shock absorber with double side springs just like B-group rally cars of the 1980s, but now there is a modern push-rod type shock absorber present at the front.
Looking (in awe, I assume) at all the thorough changes done underneath the skin and also on the outside as mentioned above, surely the EVO38 does not really fit the term ‘restomod‘ anymore as the company claims, to be honest.
Scrutineering
The central idea behind the creation of not only the EVO38, but also the entirety of Kimera Automobili as a brand was to celebrate the good old times when Italy was dominant in the world of rally racing from the 1970s to the 1990s and to also serve as a reminder to everyone that some of the most important masterpieces in automotive history were made in Piedmont, Turin.
