The partnership work between Hartley Engine and Nilu27 has successfully come to life after their project of building a new naturally aspirated V12 engine was finished and headed to testing. Successful firing up revealed the raw roar of what will be used on the Nilu car.
The moment really generated emotions for enthusiasts, and it really mattered so much, as it was not just a routine technical checkup but a proof that the Nilu27 idea does not only revolve on the design but is now a living, breathing machine.
At the center of everything is a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated 80-degree V12 that was developed to deliver an old-school driving experience in the modern age that’s pretty shaped by screens, software, and electrification. The engine was designed with a large bore and short stroke, acquiring the ability to rev high, respond sharply, and drive the kind of sensation that many modern cars no longer prioritize.
What makes the engine more impressive is that its recent dyno runs have gone beyond the first one. Originally Nilu27 had projected 1,070 horsepower, but its initial testing reports show a much higher figure. The new V12 setup will be a quirky hot V, and instead of sending exhaust to the sides, they are tucked between the cylinder banks.
The Nilu project goes in line with the vision of Sasha Selipanov, who past worked with known big brands such as Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, and Genesis. With the Nilu27, Selipanov has taken a different path, one that focuses less on digital layers and invests more in pure driver engagement.
The Nilu is intended to have much analog instrumentation, and at the heart that’s done by stripping away unnecessary interference in favor of a more direct and emotional connection of the driver, the car, and the road.
As of now the new V12 engine will continue getting refinements and calibration in New Zealand and soon be transported to Germany, where it will be installed in Nilu27’s prototype. If early results are anything to go by, this may be one of the most exciting modern hypercar programs to watch.
