In a time when the automotive industry is rapidly moving towards digitalization, complex designs, and soulless electronics, the Top Gear team has chosen a path that seems almost rebellious today. The main hero of 2025 turned out to be a car that demonstrates: true driving pleasure is not born in the clouds of software. And this symbol became the Kimera EVO37.
Winner of Performance Car of the Year 2025
Every year, Top Gear gathers the most striking sports models on one racetrack to determine which one can provide the most emotions. This time, the tests took place on the challenging and technical Portuguese track of Portimão. Despite the participation of hypercars, hybrids, and electric flagships, the title went to a car inspired by the rally era of the 80s.
The Most Diverse Lineup of Contenders
To appreciate the scale of Kimera's victory, it is enough to look at the list of participants. The shortlist compiled by the editors included cars that no one would put side by side under normal circumstances. Models from completely different schools stood on the pit lane: from heavyweight SUVs to almost racing prototypes.
In alphabetical order, the list included: Aston Martin Vanquish, BMW M2 CS, Ferrari 12Cilindri, updated Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Lamborghini Revuelto, Land Rover Defender Octa, Maserati MC20 GT2 Stradale, a pair of Porsche 911 GT3s (including the Touring version), 911 GT3 RS Manthey Racing, ultra-light Praga Bohema, and the rally-raid Ford Raptor T1+.
Comparing a buggy created for the deserts with a refined Ferrari would seem impossible. But Top Gear's methodology is different: the purity of response and sincerity of emotions are more important here than a table of records. And it was in this dimension that the small Italian Kimera Automobili was able to surpass huge global competitors.
Revival of a Legend: Kimera EVO37
The EVO37's victory goes beyond a simple triumph in a competition. Jack Rix, editor-in-chief of Top Gear, called it "an antidote to everything that is annoying in the modern automotive industry." While the industry is immersed in screens and assistants, Kimera is betting on the smell of gasoline, mechanical effort, and honest analog connection with the car.
Origins
To understand the meaning of the project, you need to go back to 1983. In the WRC championship, a battle unfolded between the all-wheel-drive Audi Quattro and the rear-wheel-drive Lancia 037. The Italian 037 became the last rear-wheel-drive car to win the constructors' cup in world rallying. It was the pinnacle of technical audacity.
Based on this car, Luca Betti - a former rally driver - created the EVO37 restomod, not just restoring the legend, but equipping it with 21st-century technologies.
The EVO37 follows the spirit of the "golden era" of sports, but is brought up to modern production standards.
Engine
A 2.1-liter inline four-cylinder engine is installed behind the seats. Its development was handled by Claudio Lombardi - the same engineer who stood behind the Lancia engines of the Group B era and the naturally aspirated V12 Ferraris in Formula 1.
The engine uses a combination of two supercharging systems:
- Volumex compressor, controlled by electronics: provides instant response and eliminates turbo lag.
- Turbocharger, which comes into operation at the top end.
The characteristics remain impressive: 505 hp, 550 N·m, approximately 4.2 seconds to 100 km/h, a maximum of 305 km/h, and a weight of only 1100 kg. The power-to-weight ratio - about 460 hp per ton - is the level of supercars, but without life-saving electronic systems.
Chassis and Carbon Fiber
The basis is the central capsule from the Lancia Beta Montecarlo. New tubular subframes made of chrome-molybdenum steel have been added to it. The external panels are made entirely of carbon fiber, which provided rigidity and minimal weight. The appearance remained recognizable: the characteristic shape of the roof, the short body, and the large integrated spoiler.
The dimensions are unusual: the length is comparable to the Mazda MX-5, the width is closer to the BMW 5 Series, and the height is less than that of the Alpine A110.
At the rear, a scheme with double Öhlins shock absorbers is used on each wheel - a direct legacy of rally solutions of the past.
Interior
The interior combines the asceticism of a rally car and the accuracy of hand assembly. Almost all surfaces are finished with Alcantara and matte carbon fiber. The fit is traditionally Italian: the Momo steering wheel is close, the pedal assembly is shifted. Analog instruments retain instant perception of information.
A key component is the open linkage of the 6-speed manual gearbox, borrowed from the transmissions of the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo, but adapted specifically for the EVO37.
The smells in the cabin - a mixture of leather, glue, and light oil vapors from the engine - are typical for small-scale cars.
Soundscape
Starting the engine sounds rough and metallic, the idle is loud and saturated with mechanical noises. Compressor, intake, turbine - everything is audible. During acceleration, the noise is replaced by the roar of boost and steel pops of the bypass valve.
Behavior on the Track
On Portimão, the car showed unexpected docility. Despite the mid-engine layout and short wheelbase, the EVO37 is tuned so that it does not tend to suddenly break into a spin. This was facilitated by Miki Biasion - a two-time world rally champion who participated in the tuning.
The mechanical lock allows you to stably hold the car in a controlled skid. The steering rack, based on the unit from the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, provides exemplary feedback.
The dual supercharging scheme creates smooth traction throughout the rev range. The car's reactions are instantaneous - the weight of 1100 kg does its job.
Why Kimera?
In 2025, when Ferrari, Porsche, and other manufacturers reach incredible speeds and sophisticated engineering, the EVO37 turns out to be the best for another reason: the human is not lost in it.
It requires participation: manual switching, gas metering, clutch work. This is a partner car, not a gadget on wheels.
The cost starts at approximately €670,000, and special versions can reach up to $1.4 million. But for collectors, this is a work of art, not just another purchase.
The Top Gear competition showed a curious paradox: despite all the successes of electric vehicles, the emotional peak still belongs to mechanics. The Kimera EVO37 is not a reincarnation of the past, but an attempt to create the perfect analog sports car, as it could be today.
As Luca Betti said:"We wanted to make the Lancia 037 the way it would have been if it had been designed in our time". And this idea was fully realized.