A new hypercar is set to challenge the automotive industry’s current trajectory, and it’s from a company called Nilu27. Aptly named “ NILU,” it is a hypercar that rejects electrification, digitalization, and technological driving aids in favor of a pure, analog experience. Designed with inspiration from 1960s Formula 1 and Le Mans racers, classic Italian design, Bauhaus philosophy, American muscle cars, drift cars, mathematics, and avant-garde metal music, the NILU is a striking blend of form and function.
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
Sasha Selipanov, the visionary behind The NILU, aimed for a design that feels both fresh and familiar. The exterior features tight cross-sections and sinuous curves, with a sculpted body and an exposed, intricately detailed engine bay. The car adheres to Bauhaus principles, eliminating unnecessary styling elements in favor of pure functional beauty.
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
The NILU chassis is built around a bespoke carbon fiber monocoque, complemented by lightweight aluminum-alloy tubular subframes. Unlike composite subframes, the tubular structure enhances drivetrain access, improves heat dissipation, and highlights the car’s mechanical aesthetic.
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
Inside, the cabin prioritizes driver-focused ergonomics and safety. Despite a low roofline and compact dimensions, comfort is maintained. The car accommodates two adults in a side-by-side layout, with large gullwing doors and low sills ensuring easy entry and exit. Fixed, sunken seats eliminate obstructions, enhancing accessibility.
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
NILU’s human-machine interface is centered on manual controls. The only digital display is a rearview camera, addressing visibility issues common in mid-engine sports cars. The compact, round steering wheel is free of buttons and switches, reinforcing the car’s distraction-free driving philosophy. There are no driving modes or settings—just intuitive, essential controls.
Photo: Nilu27
The seven-speed open-gate manual transmission enhances the analog experience and incorporates a reverse gear lockout for safety. Key adjustments, including the steering wheel, pedal box, headrests, and mirrors, are manually operated. Machined billet controls provide tactile feedback, offering a more engaging and safer alternative to touchscreen interfaces.
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
Nilu27 has partnered with Hartley Engines in New Zealand to develop an exclusive 6.5-liter, 80-degree V12 engine. Designed to be the most powerful naturally aspirated hypercar, it produces over 1,000 horsepower. The engine’s large bore and short stroke allow it to rev with electric motor-like precision while maintaining a visceral, high-performance character.
Photo: Nilu27
The Hartley V12 features refined combustion areas, high-flow ports, and performance-style valve geometry. It is equipped with 12 individual throttle bodies for instant response. A distinctive “Hot V” configuration—where intake and exhaust positions are reversed—enhances packaging, heat extraction, and aesthetics. The standout feature is the “snakepit” 12-into-1 exhaust system, 3D-printed in Inconel for optimal efficiency and design.
Photo: Nilu27
Mated to a seven-speed CIMA manual transmission and housed within a ceramic-coated aluminum alloy subframe, the NILU V12 is a testament to functional beauty. Nelson Hartley, CEO of Hartley Engines, described the project as an opportunity to create a bespoke, aggressive, high-revving powertrain inspired by late ’80s and early ’90s Formula 1 technology.
Photo: Nilu27
The NILU hypercar features a double wishbone pushrod suspension, with extended rear wishbones ensuring precise handling. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires (265/35 R20 front, 325/30 R21 rear) are mounted on lightweight, in-house-designed Nilu27 center-lock wheels produced by AppTech in Italy.
Brembo’s GT | BM calipers, finished in custom white, handle braking. They are paired with the high-performance CCM-R Plus carbon-ceramic rotors for exceptional stopping power and fade resistance.
Photo: Nilu27
NILU will be produced in an extremely limited run of just 15 units.
“My path in the industry has never been about following rules,” said Selipanov. “I was never afraid to follow my intuition or chase my dreams. Breaking conventions is simply a byproduct. NILU is a hypercar that discards trends and conventions in pursuit of an elevated automotive experience.”
Photo: Nilu27
Photo: Nilu27
With a raw, mechanical aesthetic and a focus on pure driving engagement, the NILU hypercar is poised to be one of the most distinctive and thrilling performance cars of its era, where everyone is going electrified.
