New 787kW V12-powered monster arrives to hammer big name machines such as the Ferrari 12Cilindri and Lamborghini Revuelto

As the world increasingly adopts electric cars, the words “naturally-aspirated V12” don’t get thrown around too often. 

Gone are the days of stripped-back speed machines with few creature comforts other than a gear stick, bucket seats and a thunderous engine. 

At least that was until the Nilu arrived, the brainchild of famed automotive designer Sasha Selipanov – the man who brought to life iconic supercars such as the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Huracan and Koenigsegg CC850.

His own invention eschews electrification, instead using a 6.5-litre naturally-aspirated V12 beast that matches dream machines such as the new Ferrari 12Cilindri and Lamborghini Revuelto.

Packing 787kW of power and 859Nm of torque, Selipanov’s Nilu will hit 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds on its way to a mind-bending top speed of 400km/h.

Those ridiculous outputs are thanks to Hartley Engines from New Zealand, who partnered with Nilu to create one of the most powerful naturally-aspirated and visually-striking engines in the world.

Nilu said the engine is distinguished by its refined combustion area, high-flow ports and performance-style valve geometry, something original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) cannot typically accommodate for in their compact lineups. 

The engine features 12 individual throttle bodies for instant throttle response, a redline above 10,000 rpm and an enormous 12-into-1 3D-printed Inconel exhaust that sits exposed at the vehicle’s rear.  

The Nilu chassis features a bespoke carbon fibre monocoque with lightweight aluminium-alloy tubular subframes.

With classical hypercar styling, the Nilu has gullwing doors, a wide front-grille with gaping air ducts and a cockpit just big enough to hold two bucket seats. 

The body work undulates over 20-inch five spoke wheels at the front to 21-inch wheels at the rear. Each is wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and house monster carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo. 

Inside, the Nilu keeps as few distractions as possible. There aren’t any touchscreens to be seen, not even an electric parking brake, just a steering wheel, void of switches and buttons, a gear stick for the vehicle’s seven-speed manual transmission, a manual parking brake and analogue driver’s gauges.

The Nilu hypercar will be produced in limited runs from the company’s factory in Irvine, California, first at a capacity of 15 vehicles, with future plans to include a 54-car run of homologated variants. 

Pricing has not yet been revealed, though the vehicle is scheduled to debut on August 15 at Monterey Car Week in California.