The Nilu V-12 is a track-only hypercar that promises raw, unfiltered performance. Only 15 units are set for production initially, with pricing details still under wraps. A road-legal version is also in the pipeline, limited to just 54 examples.
This stunning machine is the brainchild of Sasha Selipanov, the visionary designer behind icons like the Bugatti Chiron and Koenigsegg Gemera. Now, with his own brand, Nilu27, co-founded with his wife Inna, Selipanov is stepping into the spotlight with the debut of the Nilu.
Selipanov’s impressive design pedigree includes stints at Volkswagen Group, where he crafted the Bugatti Chiron and Lamborghini Huracán, as well as time at Genesis and Koenigsegg. But the Nilu marks a new chapter, as Selipanov shifts from designing for others to creating his own legacy.
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The Nilu is a stripped-down, V-12-powered beast designed for the track. It evokes the spirit of classic Le Mans endurance racers but with a modern twist. The hypercar features a bespoke carbon-fiber monocoque with aluminum-alloy tubular subframes, chosen over composite subframes to enhance accessibility and cooling.
Powering the Nilu is a 6.5-liter V-12 engine, crafted by New Zealand’s Hartley Engines, paired with a 7-speed manual transmission. While final specs are forthcoming, the powertrain is expected to exceed 1,000 hp, delivering a sound reminiscent of vintage Formula 1 engines. The engine’s hot-V configuration, with its 12-into-1 exhaust headers, adds a striking visual element, dubbed the “Snake Pit,” which is left fully exposed.
Access to the minimalist cabin is via gullwing doors. Inside, you’ll find two low-slung sports seats, an H-pattern shifter with an exposed mechanism, and traditional analog controls, eschewing modern digital screens apart from a digital rearview mirror. The steering wheel is free of buttons, focusing the driver’s attention solely on the road.
The Nilu will make its public debut during the 2024 Monterey Car Week, with a private preview for potential buyers in Los Angeles. Nilu27 has ambitious plans, with the first batch of cars to be built by California’s Aria Group, and future production to move to a dedicated facility overseas.
A road-legal version of the Nilu is also in development, limited to 54 units, including four unique designs that will further push the brand’s design language. As for pricing, details remain a mystery, but expectations are high for this exclusive and powerful new hypercar.