Nilu 27: The V12 lives on in an analogue creation

Nilu 27: The V12 lives on in an analogue creation

Right now, the automotive industry is at a crossroads. Well-known manufacturers are discontinuing iconic engines, but enthusiasts and purists of the bygone era of fire-breathing engines are unwilling to trade combustion for kWh. As such, Sasha Selipanov, a former Koenigsegg and Bugatti designer, took matters into his own hands and produced a vehicle that he claims is in equal parts stunning and brutal. 

The Nilu 27 draws its aesthetic inspiration from exposed elements and curving lines, a feature we rarely see in modern supercars. The Nilu 27 has curves that begin from the front, wrap around the body, and end in the rear for a style that is unique and eye-catching. 

But the most exciting part of the existence of this car is its V12 engine. This 6.5-litre monster of a V12 has been given the name "Hot V." This engineering marvel pumps out 798kW and 860Nm, with a stated top speed of 400km/h. It also comes with a manual 7-speed gearbox, with its builders stating that its 0-100 time is mostly down to the driver. Whether this speaks to sandbagging or simply a lack of projection testing remains a mystery at this point.

Other notable components to mention include Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, forged aluminium alloy double-wishbone pushrod suspension, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminium alloys manufactured by APPTec, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Rs, which are the tyres of choice to keep it on the black stuff. It also weighs an impressive 1.2 tonnes. 

The Nilu 27 appears to have taken artistic inspiration from Gordon Murray's T.50, which is also a V12 manual hypercar. But I prefer the Nilu 27’s look over the T.50, and it's clear that it's going to be outrageously quick. In fact, on the topic of our preference as car enthusiasts for analogue over digital, as Nilu puts it, "the current obsession with technology has desensitised the authentic automotive experience. Nilu27 prioritises a raw, unfiltered connection with the machine, and that is why we have chosen to deliberately minimise our reliance on tech.”

It’s hard not to be excited about such a vehicle, and as we have seen in the past, it will likely be offered in limited numbers, but this rocket is certainly something to add to the bucket list. In the meantime, we must appreciate another attempt to keep the V12 alive.

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