While the automotive world rushes towards electrification, the Nilu Hypercar reminds us of the timeless appeal of traditional engineering.
There’s a new player in the world of high-performance cars, and it’s making waves with a focus on old-school driving thrills. The Nilu Hypercar, designed by Sasha Selipanov, a veteran who’s worked with big names like Bugatti and Koenigsegg, is here to bring back the joy of analog driving.
Selipanov, along with his wife Inna, founded the brand Nilu27, named after their children Nica and Lucia, combined with the racing number of F1 legend Gilles Villeneuve. The hypercar is their debut model, and it’s turning heads with its naturally aspirated V-12 engine, seven-speed gated manual transmission, and minimalist approach to technology.
Under the hood, the Nilu Hypercar packs a 6.5-liter V-12 engine built by Hartley Engines in New Zealand, run by Brendon Hartley’s brother. This beast of an engine produces 1,055 horsepower and has an 11,000-rpm redline. Unlike modern supercars that rely on turbos or hybrid systems, the Nilu sticks to its roots with a naturally aspirated setup, emphasizing a pure, unfiltered driving experience.
The design of the Nilu Hypercar is as striking as its specs. It features a wide, aggressive stance with NACA ducts, a sleek canopy reminiscent of the LaFerrari, and side intakes that echo the DeTomaso P72. The rear is particularly eye-catching with its white paint, exposed engine, and 12-into-1 exhaust pipes, bringing to mind the 1984 Peugeot Quasar concept.
Inside, the Nilu Hypercar is all about simplicity and driver engagement. Forget about large screens and endless buttons; this car focuses on the essentials. The cabin features a gated shifter, billet-machined switches, and a floating bridgework gauge cluster. The seats are fixed, and the controls are manually adjustable, ensuring everything is just right for the driver.
Despite its retro focus, the Nilu Hypercar is no slouch when it comes to performance. It promises a top speed of nearly 250 mph and a 0-60 mph time well under three seconds. The car’s lightweight construction, with a dry curb weight of 2,645 pounds, contributes to its impressive agility and speed.
Nilu27 plans to debut the hypercar publicly at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week. The initial run will include 15 track-only units, followed by 54 street-legal versions. While the exact pricing hasn’t been announced, the exclusivity and performance suggest it will be a high-ticket item.
The creation of the Nilu Hypercar marks a return to the core values of driving pleasure and mechanical purity. Sasha Selipanov and his team have crafted a car that stands out in a market crowded with high-tech, hybrid, and turbocharged supercars. With its naturally aspirated V-12, manual transmission, and stunning design, the Nilu Hypercar is a refreshing nod to the past while still being very much a product of today.
As the automotive world moves towards electrification, the Nilu Hypercar reminds us of the timeless appeal of traditional engineering and pure driving enjoyment. It’s a bold move by Nilu27, but one that’s sure to resonate with car enthusiasts who long for the days when driving was all about the connection between man and machine.
Gallery: 2024 Nilu 27 Concept
