We have not been truly wowed by a hypercar since the Koenigsegg CC850. I admit. My heart fluttered a little at the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and the Maserati MCXtrema but nothing that really made me go “holy mother…” that’s until now when we came across the NILU Hypercar, Nilu27.
The Nilu27 is a true, “good’ol” hypercar because it isn’t electric. It is powered by a good’ol internal combustion engine—so rejoice petrolheads. Not only that. It defies the current automotive trends of electrification, digitization, and other technology aids that many ICE hypercars rely on.
It promised a raw, unadulterated driving experience—the true spirit of motoring. The Nilu27 draws inspiration from multiple sources and eras from 60s F1 and Le Man race cars to classic Italian design houses to old-school American muscle cars.
Pardon me if I get too excited over the engine because the Nilu27’s engine is probably the most beautiful internal combustion engine I have ever seen.
The engine, which is co-developed with Hartey Engines in New Zealand, is a visually striking (and I do mean visually striking) naturally aspirated 6.5L 80-degree V12 inside a fully exposed engine bay, delivering over 1,000 ponies (!).
The motor features a large bore and short stroke that “will make rev like an electric motor”, and individual throttle bodies for instant response.
The transmission is not the only manual thing. The steering wheel, pedal box, headrest, door mirrors, and other adjustments are manual too—operated by manual levers and switches that are billet machined. The steering wheel is, well, just a good’ol sport steering wheel void of any buttons or switches.
Another highlight of this engine is its distinctive “Hot V” design. Here, the usual positions of the exhaust and intake are reversed, offering significant benefits in packaging, heat management, and visual appeal. This setup also showcases the striking “snakepit” 12-into-1 exhaust headers as a unique element of the exterior design.
And then there’s the exhaust exhaust system which is entirely 3D-printed in Inconel, allowing the complex design to be realized.
The engine is mated to an open-gate seven-speed CIMA manual transmission with reverse gear lock-out, and housed in the ceramic-coated aluminum-alloy subframe.
The NILU hypercar features a double wishbone, pushrod suspension system with unusually long wishbones that are visible from the rear. This extended length contributes to the vehicle’s precise and responsive handling.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires have been selected for the car, sized 265/35 R20 at the front and 325/30 R21 at the rear. These are mounted on 10×20” and 13×21” Nilu27 centerlock wheels, which were designed in-house with intricate, lightweight detailing to minimize unsprung weight. The wheels are manufactured by AppTech in Italy.
The car is equipped with carbon-ceramic components from Brembo for stopping/slowing down duties. The front and rear feature Brembo’s GT | BM calipers in a custom white finish, paired with the company’s top-tier CCM-R Plus rotors, known for their exceptional performance and fade resistance.
The NILU hypercar made its debut at an exclusive event for VIPs and media in Los Angeles on August 8. It will be publicly unveiled on August 15 at Pebble Beach in Monterey, CA, followed by an appearance on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18.
Images: Nilu.
