LOS ANGELES: Nilu27, the hypercar brand founded by sports car designer Sasha Selipanov early this year, has unveiled its first vehicle, the NILU hypercar.
Following social media teasers that stirred excitement within the sports car community, the car has been revealed in its entirety by Sasha, who is credited with the exterior design of the Bugatti Chiron, among others.
The NILU hypercar sets itself apart by shunning current automotive trends of electrification and digitalisation, instead offering a raw, unfiltered driving experience.
Drawing inspiration from '60s F1 and Le Mans racers, classic Italian design, Bauhaus philosophy, American muscle cars, drift cars, mathematics, and avant-garde metal music, the NILU hypercar features a unique, eclectic design.
The exterior is functional and aerodynamic, with a mix of clean sculptural surfaces and an exposed, detailed engine bay, adhering to the Bauhaus principle of form following function.
The NILU chassis is built with a bespoke carbon fibre monocoque and lightweight aluminum-alloy tubular subframes.
This design choice improves access to drivetrain components, facilitates heat extraction, and enhances the car's mechanical aesthetics.
The cabin is designed for optimal ergonomics and safety, featuring a low roofline and compact dimensions without sacrificing comfort.
The car seats two adults in a side-by-side layout, with easy ingress and egress facilitated by substantial gullwing doors and low sill heights.
The NILU hypercar's human-machine interface emphasises manual, analog controls.
The only screen is for the rear-view camera/mirror, addressing the typical mid-engined sports car's lack of rearward visibility.
The steering wheel is compact and round, devoid of switches and buttons, ensuring full concentration during performance driving.
The seven-speed manual transmission features an open-gate design, emphasizing analog driving while including a reverse gear lock-out for safety.
Powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine developed in partnership with Hartley Engines in New Zealand, the NILU hypercar aims to be the world's most powerful naturally aspirated hypercar.
The engine delivers over 1,000 horsepower and features individual throttle bodies for instant response and a "Hot V" configuration for improved packaging and heat extraction.
The engine's unique design, including 3D-printed Inconel exhaust headers, is a highlight of the car's aesthetic.
The NILU hypercar employs a double wishbone, pushrod suspension with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires for precise handling.
The car's braking system includes Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, providing outstanding performance and fade resistance.
The wheels are designed in-house and produced by AppTech in Italy, featuring lightweight detailing to reduce unsprung weight.
Production of the NILU hypercar is limited to 15 units, with assembly handled by Aria Group in Irvine, CA.
Nilu27 is also developing a street-homologated version, limited to 54 units.
The car will debut to a select group today in Los Angeles, followed by a public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Aug 15. It will also appear in the mobile racing game CSR Racing 2 in November.
Nilu27 is supported by industry leaders such as Aerotak, AppTech, Aria Group, Brembo, CIMA, Hartley Engines, Michelin, and Schroth.
Co-founder, COO and Sasha's wife Inna Selipanov said she was confident the car's timeless appeal would be a big draw to passionate car collectors despite the industry's move towards electrification.
(Want to know more about Sasha? Motortrend has a video interview with the guy, which gives more insight about the man and his craft.)
