- The K39 features a twin-turbocharged V8 engine from Koenigsegg. It delivers 972 horsepower and 885 pound-feet of torque.
- The target curb weight is just over 2,400 pounds.
- Development is still being finalized, but at least 20 examples have already found willing buyers.
Kimera Automobili is officially entering the hypercar arena with the new K39, the most ambitious model ever produced by the Piedmont-based brand founded by Luca Betti. Unveiled at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como, the K39 marks a pivotal moment for the company, which until now has been best known for its modern reinterpretations of legendary 1980s Lancia rally cars such as the EVO37 and EVO38.
This time, however, it’s not a restomod: the K39 is a clean-sheet, fully original project, developed from the ground up with the aim of joining the small circle of the world’s most exclusive hypercars.
Photo by: Kimera Automobili
Throwback Design
The Kimera K39 draws on the silhouettes of the cars that dominated the World Sportscar Championship in the 1980s. The result is a long, low, sculpted body with proportions that stand apart from today’s norms. The family resemblance to previous Kimera creations is still clear—especially up front and at the tail—but here the approach is more extreme and more sophisticated.
Aerodynamics were developed as an integral part of the styling. The front end uses modern motorsport-derived solutions, including an S-duct to manage airflow, while the rear combines extraction surfaces with a large wing that recalls the era’s endurance race cars. Even the lighting elements are integrated directly into the car’s aerodynamic structure.
Alongside the standard version, Kimera Automobili also showed a special “Pikes Peak” configuration, developed to further emphasize the Italian hypercar’s connection to hillclimb competition. This variant features dedicated aero add-ons and a track-oriented setup, while still retaining street legality.
Photo by: Kimera Automobili
A Nearly 1,000-HP Koenigsegg V8
The K39’s biggest technical headline is its engine. Kimera has partnered with Koenigsegg, the Swedish automaker known for extreme hypercars, to develop a bespoke twin-turbocharged V8. The engine produces 972 hp at 7,350 rpm and 885 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm, with the rev limiter set at 8,250 rpm.
According to Kimera, the engine was tailored specifically to the K39’s character. Compared with the more extreme applications used in Koenigsegg models, the forced-induction system was lightened and optimized to improve throttle response and overall drivability. The V8 also meets emissions regulations and can receive over-the-air software updates via the cloud platform developed by the Swedish automaker.
The project also involves Dallara, the Italian competition-engineering specialist, which is working with Kimera in a technical consulting and shared development role. The stated goal is to create a hypercar capable of combining high performance, low weight, and an analog, engaging driving experience.
For A Rare Few
Like all Kimeras, the K39 will be built in limited numbers. Even before its official reveal, more than 20 examples had already been allocated to selected customers. The first 10 buyers will also get access to the special Pikes Peak configuration.
After its debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the K39 will head out on an international roadshow that will include events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Monterey Car Week, Spa-Francorchamps, and Le Mans Classic. At Le Mans, Luca Betti will drive a historic car that inspired the K39 project, symbolically closing the loop between past and future.
With this hypercar, Kimera is moving beyond its role as a nostalgic interpreter of historic motorsport and attempting to build its own identity in the modern supercar landscape. It’s an ambitious challenge—made even more significant by the collaboration with Koenigsegg and a debut at one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events.
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Source: Kimera Automobili
Motor1’s Take: If you can’t get excited about a vehicle that combines the words “Kimera”, “Koenigsegg”, and “Dallara”, you really need to consult a doctor. Sure, the car will likely cost north of $2 million, and I’ll probably never see one in real life. But I’m happy to know such a machine exists.
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