Key Takeaways
- Kimera Automobili’s new K-39, inspired by a Martini Racing car, aims to compete at Pikes Peak.
- Street-legal version of K-39 may be produced in very limited numbers.
- All will be revealed on June 22.
Toward the tail end of last year, Kimera Automobili announced that it would be producing two more cars after the exquisite EVO37, the first of which was the EVO38. Now, the Italian outfit has provided a few shadowy teaser images of its third-ever vehicle, the K-39. In addition, the teaser material makes it very clear that this new creation is destined to compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Kimera says the new racer will be unveiled on June 22, the day before the official Race to the Clouds kicks off. The fledgling marque will be hoping for a strong showing here, as a great result could translate to increased sales of its road-going cars – not that Kimera needs any help in that department.
Potential For A Street-Legal K-39
The lighting signature at the front of the K-39 confirms that this will be inspired by a Lancia product, just as Kimera’s first two were. The marque never said what exactly inspired its K-39, but did hint at the fact that the inspiration was a Martini Racing car that found success in the World Sports Prototype Championship in the 1970s and 1980s. We’re convinced that the Group 5 Lancia Beta Montecarlo is what will be reimagined here.
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When teasing this new offering for the first time, Kimera suggested that a road-going version of the K-39 could be produced in “extremely limited and exclusive” numbers. Given the positive reactions to the EVO37 and EVO38, we doubt it will have any trouble finding interested buyers for its latest project.
Expect Plenty Of Power
The EVO37 features a turbocharged and supercharged 2.1-liter four-cylinder developing 500 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, all of which is directed to the rear axle. The later EVO38 is a little more secure, thanks to all-wheel drive, but its retuned version of the same engine was boosted all the way to 600 hp and 429 lb-ft. Presumably, the new K-39 will outperform both of its predecessors, but then again, perhaps Kimera will cap power to similar levels and find other ways of increasing performance, like reducing weight. We’ll know more come the weekend, so keep your eyes peeled.
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