Kimera’s Ditching Its 4-Cylinder Legacy for V6 and V8 Power

Kimera Automobili just killed the engine formula that built its reputation. After establishing itself as the definitive Lancia restomodder with models like the EVO37 and EVO38—both powered by a 2.1-liter twin-charged four-cylinder—the Italian brand is pivoting hard with its latest creation, the K39. And it’s bringing either a V6 or V8 to the party.

The K39 makes its official debut at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Lake Como next week, but Kimera’s been cooking this thing for over two years. The brand first teased the car with stunningly detailed renderings back in mid-2024, and promised a race version would tackle Pikes Peak in 2025. That timeline obviously slipped—it happens—but now Kimera says the competition variant will be ready for the mountain in 2026.

Two Versions, Two Philosophies

What makes the K39 announcement interesting isn’t just the powertrain swap—it’s that Kimera is releasing two distinct versions simultaneously. There’s the full-tilt racing machine built specifically for Pikes Peak’s 12,000-foot vertical gauntlet, and a slightly more civilized, street-legal road car that’ll actually be sold to paying customers. Both share the same visual DNA, but their purpose and aggression levels couldn’t be more different.

The road-going K39 carries styling cues you’d expect from Kimera’s pedigree: a prominent front splitter, functional hood vents, and those signature louvers mounted above the front wheels. A large rear wing hangs off the back, making zero apologies about its intentions. It’s restrained only by comparison to the Pikes Peak version—and “restrained” is a relative term when you’re talking about Italian restomod culture.

The Race Car Means Business

The competition K39 is where Kimera swapped subtlety for straight-up aggression. While the basic hood and front quarter-panel lines carry over, the race version gets an absolutely massive front splitter designed purely for downforce generation. More telling is the prominent roof scoop—a functional air intake meant to feed cooling air to that new, mystery powerplant beneath the hood.

But the real statement piece is the rear wing. And not in the “oh, there’s a little spoiler” way. This thing towers over the car like a junior-sized DPi prototype, screaming that Kimera’s done playing around. Combined with the low stance and aggressive stance, the Pikes Peak K39 looks like it genuinely wants to murder the mountain.

Why Ditch the Four-Cylinder?

Here’s where the strategic shift gets interesting. Kimera built its entire brand identity around taking classic Lancia platforms and shoehorning in a heavily boosted 2.1L four-cylinder that punched well above its displacement. It was a parlor trick that worked—proof that turbocharging and engineering could overcome cubic inches. The EVO37 and EVO38 were loved precisely because they made that four-pot sing.

But Pikes Peak isn’t a dyno test or a road course. It’s 156 corners in thin air, sustained elevation gain, and unpredictable weather. A turbo four-cylinder, especially one already maxed out on boost, struggles in those conditions. Thin air kills turbo efficiency. The lack of naturally aspirated grunt becomes a liability. For a hill-climb car targeting a 10-minute run at extreme altitude, switching to a larger-displacement, higher-revving engine—whether six or eight cylinders—makes cold, hard sense.

The V6-or-V8 question itself is telling. Kimera hasn’t committed publicly, which suggests they’re either still testing both options or playing it coy until the Lake Como reveal. Given that this is a bespoke restomod operation building limited volumes, offering a choice wouldn’t be unprecedented. What matters is that both options represent a fundamental departure from “four-cylinder philosophy” into “we want real power and we don’t care about displacement politics.”

What This Means for Kimera’s Future

The K39 represents a maturation of the brand’s vision. Kimera proved it could extract performance from unconventional choices. Now it’s proving it can execute when the gloves come off. If the K39 performs as promised at Pikes Peak—and especially if the road-legal version lands in customer garages—the company shifts from “clever restomod boutique” to “legitimate performance manufacturer.”

The street version will be where Kimera makes real money and reputation. The racing version is marketing. But both cars send the same message: Kimera’s graduating from the “what if” studio into the realm of “yes, actually.” And sometimes that graduation ceremony requires ditching the tactics that got you there. The K39 is that ceremony.

Sources: Carscoops