A new company for the production of super sports cars appeared on the scene. Nilu27, the brand founded by the designer of Koenigsegg and Bugatti cars, Saša Selipanov, has just presented its first car: the NILU. Instead of relying on cutting edge technology like turbo-charging or hybrid assist, this car takes a purist approach using a naturally aspirated V12 engine mated to a manual transmission.
The NILU hypercar isn’t completely old-fashioned in its approach. Underpinning its striking design is a custom-built carbon monocoque chassis, complemented by a set of tubular aluminum alloy structural elements. The V12 engine, designed by Hartley Engines of New Zealand, is a 6.5-liter engine with an 80-degree angle gap that Nilu27 claims will “rev like an electric motor.”
Unlike most engines, which have an intake inside a “V” shape and an exhaust pipe outside, here the air flow is reversed. Individual butterfly valves are located on the outside, while the exhaust exits at the top in a “hot V” configuration. The 12-in-1 Inconel exhaust pipe is 3D printed to fit its complex shape and ends in a triple-exit tip. Exact power figures aren’t available, but Nilu27 claims the V12 will develop “more than” 1,000 horsepower.
Nilu says their hypercar is focused on feedback. In this regard, the only gearbox is a seven-speed manual supplied by CIMA. The gearbox itself uses a column-shaped lever and has a locking mechanism to ensure the car doesn’t accidentally shift into reverse, similar to the Lamborghini Countach.
What you won’t find in the cabin of a NILU car is an excess of buttons. There are no buttons or driving modes on the round steering wheel. The only screen you’ll find is integrated into the rearview mirror to improve rearward visibility. The seats are fixed, while details such as pedals, headrests and door mirrors are manually adjusted using levers and switches made of solid material. This car is truly dedicated to the analog experience.
Under the body is a suspension with double wishbones and compression springs. It is supported by a set of 20-inch and 21-inch center-mounted wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires. They hide a set of carbon-ceramic brakes signed by Brembo.
Nilu says it will build 15 of these initial NILU hypercars, but does not say whether they will be road legal. In the announcement, the company also mentions plans to build 54 “street homologated” cars, suggesting that these initial 15 cars will be dedicated exclusively to the track.
NILU will make its public debut at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week on August 15. The first batch of prototypes and customer cars will be assembled in Irvine, California, before production is moved overseas.
Source: www.magazinauto.com
