Nilu27 is a 1,000PS V12 manual hypercar

The design of the Nilu

Because of designer Sasha Selipanov’s highly impressive CV, the biggest question about this car was around what exactly is it going to look like? The initial rear end teaser gave the impression that it would be an Elseworlds’ Koenigsegg, but on its full reveal we can see it’s so much more than that. There’s a clean, modern skin to this car draped over some very retro-influenced lines, and as you’d expect, a carbon chassis structure within.

There’s a bit of Ferrari 512 in that side intake that swoops down from the front haunches, and a lot of Porsche 917 in its silhouette, the glasshouse and in its use of negative space. Especially at the rear, where we see the bodywork slowly taper away to only surround the rear lights.

A lot of the engine, the whole exhaust system and the entire rear suspension and sub-assembly is visible, albeit with a bit of shielding thanks to the enormous carbon venturi tunnels, hung from long metal spindles. The front isn’t quite so novel, with a general Koenigsegg feel to the shape, a bit of Gemera and Bugatti in the shape of those vents, and more than a little Deus Vayanne, if you can remember what that is.

What engine does the Nilu have? 

Another thing that’s been teased about the Nilu27 is the engine. Collaborating with Hartley Engines of New Zealand, the Nilu27 features an all-new 80-degree 6.5-litre hot-V V12. The totally bespoke mill spits its exhaust manifolds out the top of the cylinder heads – yes, that’s a 12-into-one exhaust – and breathes through the bottom. Main goals have been focused on throttle response and the emotion of the engine. Apparently, it has a large bore and a short stroke.  Power is said to be in excess of 1,000PS (735kW), with a rev limit close to 12,000rpm. That’s a conservative number, apparently, set in the interests of long-term reliability.

“We’ve been quietly working on the design and layout of our own engine for the last few years, taking inspiration from late ’80s and early ’90s Formula 1 cars,” said Hartley Engines founder Nelson Hartley.

“We strived for the kind of engineering that’s raw, endearing, emotional, and sometimes a little crazy. Make no mistake; this is not an OEM engine from another manufacturer converted to the Hot V; this is a bespoke, large bore, short stroke monster. It’s got aggressive cams, aggressive port flow, lightweight components and exotic materials. We want to get a cold sweat every time the V12 starts and revs. It’s fair to say, we’re very excited!"

That power is sent to the rear wheels exclusively via a seven-speed gated manual transmission, with a really rather art deco-looking shifter.

Inside the Nilu

Speaking of the interior, the retro-futuristic vibes continue on the inside, once you’ve accessed it via the swooping gullwing doors. While very analogue and anti-digital, it’s definitely got a futuristic, milled, acrylic look to some of the materials. It could be the interior of the new Fantasticar for all we know. The punctured seats are very Ford GT, and the steering wheel and dials are very retro racer. 

It’s all in service of what Selipanov wants to be a “raw, old-school, no-nonsense” experience. Oh yes.

To begin, just 15 track-only Launch Edition versions of the carbon-tubbed V12-engined monster are to be made. There is the desire for 54 road legal cars to follow, which has us wondering, will the pursuit of road legality mean the design is set to change? That rear end doesn’t look very federalised…

And in case you’re wondering, Nilu is a contraction of the names of Selipanov’s daughters, while 27 is the racing number of Gilles Villeneuve, who inspired Selipanov in his earlier years with that glorious sliding shot in his #27 Ferrari 126CK F1 car.

More info as it lands on August 15^th at Monterey Car Week.