Ex-Koenigsegg designer's own creation has a V12 and a manual transmission.

Ex-Koenigsegg designer Sasha Selipanov, renowned for his work on the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Huracán, and Koenigsegg CC850, has created his own car, the Nilu.

NILU

The Nilu is more than just any ordinary car though; it’s a passion project for Sasha and his wife, Inna, who co-founded the company. The name "Nilu" is a combination of their children’s names, Nica and Lucia, while "27" refers to the racing number of Formula 1 driver Gilles Villeneuve—a childhood inspiration for Selipanov. The Nilu is a V-12-powered driving machine that harks back to a more analog era of driving, intentionally contrasting with current trends of hybridization and digitization.

NILU

Evidently, the Nilu is a work of art. The exterior design blends modern and classic supercar elements, with sharp angles, gullwing doors, and a wide, aggressive stance. The body features a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis paired with aluminum tubular subframes, ensuring rigidity and lightness. The car’s dry weight is expected to be around 1200 kilograms, an outlier of a weight figure in the modern supercar market. The suspension is a double-wishbone pushrod setup, and the Nilu rides on staggered 20- and 21-inch center-lock wheels designed by Nilu27 and produced by AppTech, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R white-wall-style tires. Stopping power comes from the highest-spec carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo, accented by white brake calipers. The low-slung bodywork features a wide twin-scoop front end, with a NACA duct inspired by the Lamborghini Countach and a fully exposed V-12 engine at the rear. This “snake pit” of center-mounted exhaust pipes is reminiscent of the Ford GT40, managing the car’s heat and aerodynamics.

NILU

NILU

NILU

At the heart of the Nilu is a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V-12 engine developed in collaboration with Hartley Engines of New Zealand. This engine, free from forced induction or electric assistance, produces a mighty 1070 horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque. It’s designed to achieve peak power at 11,000 rpm, with a glorious sound exiting through a 12-into-1 Inconel exhaust system. The exhaust is 3D-printed to achieve its complex shape and culminates in a tri-exit tip that is as visually striking as it is aurally dramatic. According to Nilu27, the car is expected to reach nearly 250 mph, with a 0-60 mph time well under three seconds. Also according to Nilu27, the Nilu is not a numbers car.

NILU

“My path in the industry has never been about following rules and sticking to norms,” Sasha explained. “I was never afraid to follow my intuition or chase my dreams. Breaking conventions is simply a byproduct. The same is true for NILU: a hypercar that discards current trends and conventions in pursuit of an elevated automotive experience." In an era where high-performance cars are increasingly defined by electric motors and complex software, the Nilu stands out as a celebration of old-school internal combustion values. It’s a car designed for purists, those who value the connection between driver and machine, and who appreciate the art of driving in its most raw and unfiltered form.

The Nilu’s focus on a pure driving experience is also realized in its transmission system. It features a seven-speed gated manual gearbox supplied by CIMA, a nod to the days when shifting gears was a tactile, mechanical process. The gear shifter, with its pole-like knob and locking mechanism to prevent accidentally engaging reverse, harks back to the iconic Lamborghini Countach.

NILU

NILU

This idea of mechanical purity extends to the rest of the interior, where there are no unnecessary buttons, screens, or driver modes. The cabin is sparse, with the only digital display being a rear-view mirror-integrated screen to aid visibility. The seats are fixed, with billet-machined levers and switches controlling adjustments for the pedal box, headrest, and door mirrors.

NILU

NILU

The Nilu will make its public debut on August 15 at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week 2024. The initial production run will be limited to just 15 units, all of which will be assembled by Aria Group in Irvine, California. While pricing details have not been announced, the unique intention behind the Nilu suggests it will likely be a coveted addition to any high-end collection. It comes from not a corporation or a profit-seeking perspective, but as the culmination of the passion of a highly accomplished automotive designer. A recipe for brilliance.

NILU