Three years ago Kimera Automobili announced the EVO37 Martini 7 and almost broke the internet. Now the iconic racing livery has returned, adorning an updated version of the four-wheel-drive EVO38. As before, there is more to it than the stripes, with a meaningful power increase and targeted mechanical upgrades.

Called the EVO38 Collezione Martini, the palette has expanded beyond white to include Vermouth Red and Dry Green, with further colourways to follow.

In keeping with Kimera's evolutionary theme, the twin-charged 2.1-litre four-cylinder that already produced 592bhp in standard EVO38 trim now delivers 631bhp and 516lb ft in Collezione Martini specification. Do the maths and that's over 300bhp per litre from a four-cylinder engine without hybrid assistance, in a car weighing just 1,100kg.

Dry Green Kimera EVO38 Collezione Martini front-on overhead
Bianco Perla EVO38 Collezione Martini from above, the giant rear ducktail and exposed engine bay defining the revised bodywork.

The gains are courtesy of a new Flex Fuel system allowing E85 bioethanol alongside conventional high-octane petrol, with both peak power and peak torque achieved on the biofuel. The rev ceiling has also risen 500rpm to 8,200rpm, and Kimera is promising a throttle response that is, in their own fantastically Italian way, “ferociously more immediate”. Lastly, a new rally-derived water spray for the intercooler activates under peak load to keep intake temperatures in check.

Cooling has also been the name of the game when it comes to the bodywork revisions, with the Collezione Martini sporting new bonnet air intakes said to improve airflow, with the added benefit of placing the pushrod dampers on display. The exposed engine bay – a move introduced on the regular EVO38 – is framed by a giant rear ducktail, beneath which sits a revised ceramic exhaust system. The original four lower exits have been replaced by a brace, with a new large-bore centre exit sitting proud between the tail lights. The alloy wheels have also changed, with the Delta Integrale-inspired multi-spokes making way for a centre-lock five-spoke design.

Cockpit of the Kimera EVO38 Collezione Martini retrimmed in Martini colours — blue Alcantara, red Sparco harnesses and a suede-rim wheel.
Rear-deck engine view of the EVO38 Collezione Martini, the new ceramic exhaust system painted white and crowned by a Martini Racing plaque.

Inside, the standard EVO38’s cabin has been retrimmed in Martini colours – blue Alcantara, red Sparco harnesses and the familiar tricolour detailing carried throughout. The changes introduced on the EVO38 all carry forward, including the glass driveshaft tunnel, exposed gear linkage and analogue instrument cluster.

The EVO38 Collezione Martini was revealed at the Rally Storico Costa Smeralda – the same Sardinian event where the EVO37 Martini 7 made its debut. Pricing starts at €1.15 million, though Kimera has not disclosed how many Collezione Martini cars will be built, saying only that a handful of allocations remain. For reference, ten Martini 7s were produced, one for each rally the Lancia 037 entered during its victorious 1983 season wearing Martini colours.

Kimera has also confirmed the launch date and venue for its next model, the K-39 – which, perhaps inevitably, has also been teased in Martini Racing colours. Despite carrying the silhouette of the Group 5 Lancia Beta Montecarlo Turbo, Kimera describes the K-39 as the company’s first hypercar rather than another EVO-series restomod, marking its transition from specialist atelier to full automotive manufacturer. Both a competition version bound for Pikes Peak and a road-going variant are planned, with the full unveiling set for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on 15 May.