Nilu27 Nilu Hypercar Revealed; Gets 1055 bhp V12 Engine

Nilu27, a new car manufacturer founded by Sasha Selipanov, the former head of design for Koenigsegg and Bugatti, has launched its first-ever vehicle. The Nilu gets a naturally aspirated V12 engine that is said more than 1,000 bhp. Selipanov was also at the helm of the design team at Genesis.

There are a bunch of interesting things about the Nilu but the biggest thing has to be the powertrain. The 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine produces 1055 bhp and 860 Nm. It gets a 7-speed manual gearbox with a gated shifter. The engine has been developed in collaboration with Hartley Engines from New Zealand. Nilu27 claims that with the large bore and short stroke, the engine will be able to rev like an electric motor. 

Interestingly, Nilu27 doesn’t quote a 0-100 kmph figure but says it all depends on the driver because of the 1055 bhp figure. Strange. Top speed, however, is mentioned and Nilu27 has limited the Nilu to 400 kmph. The Nilu weighs only 1200 kg and it gets forged aluminium, double-wishbone pushrod suspension on both ends. For braking duties, it gets carbon ceramic brakes on all four corners.

The Nilu’s design is said to have taken inspiration from 1960’s Formula 1 and LeMans race cars. Up front, it has C-shaped LED DRLs that merge into the frame of the grille. The greenhouse mimics a bubble with the roof being made completely out of glass. There are large NACA ducts aft of the doors to help with the cooling of the V12 engine. Nilu27 also said the exhaust has been entirely 3D-printed out of Inconel. 

The radical design of the Nilu Hypercar is even more radical at the back than it is at the front. The rear bumper is virtually non-existent, exposing the mechanicals of the engine, chassis and suspension. The exhaust gets three tips which sit between the fixed wing of the Nilu. The Formula 1-style diffuser is connected to the car via two rods. 

Inside, the Nilu is as radical as it is outside as it gets gullwing doors. Furthermore, it gets fixed seats as Nilu27 claims it doesn’t hinder the opening of the doors, further aiding ingress and egress. It gets four big analogue dials behind the three-spoke steering as well as a 5-point racing harness with the seats.

The Nilu will be limited to just 15 units that will be track-only cars and the brand is also developing a road-going version that will be limited to 54 units. As it is a track-only version, it doesn’t get driving modes, settings or options, claims Nilu and there are no buttons or switches on the steering wheel either.