- Nilu27 has fired up its epic naturally-aspirated V12 for the first time - in New Zealand.
- The engine was developed by New Zealand engineering firm Hartley Engines, based in Palmerston North.
- Nelson Hartley, CEO of Hartley Engines is a former racing driver and brother of 3-times Le Mans winner Brendon Hartley.
A new super-limited hypercar with a stunning design, stripped back interior and a manual transmission, created by a former designer for Bugatti and Koenigsegg has taken a major step closer to production in a quiet corner of the Manawatu region.
Hartley Engines, a specialised engineering firm based in Palmerston North, has officially breathed life into the "soul" of the Nilu hypercar, successfully firing up its bespoke 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 for the first time.
Last month the first running prototype of the engine completed a flawless initial run at the Hartley Engines workshop, an event that Nilu27 founder Sasha Selipanov travelled to New Zealand to witness personally.
According to Selipanova the Nilu hypercar and its naturally aspirated V12 engine is a response to the "digital and electric sterility" of the modern automotive industry.
“This is the moment theory became reality,” he said of the engine's first firing. “By firing-up this stunning V12 we didn't only prove our engineering capabilities, we delivered the soul of the Nilu.
"As most of the automotive world embraces digital and electric sterility, we’ve doubled down on the raw, visceral drama of high RPM, naturally aspirated internal combustion.
"The Nilu27/Hartley V12 will make our hypercar truly timeless. And we hope the video from our first dyno test will generate the same excitement among viewers as it did when we were present."
The V12 has already shattered performance expectations - while the team initially targeted an output of 1070 horsepower (798kW), early dyno testing in Palmerston North has already exceeded those projections.
The engine reaches a spine-tingling 11,000rpm redline - with some components capable of running even higher - and utilises a "Hot V" configuration with an 80-degree bank angle where the exhaust headers are placed between the cylinder heads to optimise heat escape and performance.
Hartley Engines’ success is rooted in its use of advanced 5-axis CNC machining and cutting-edge additive manufacturing. This expertise has led to a major commercial expansion; Nilu27 and Hartley Engines are currently finalising a joint venture to design and produce high-performance, road-certified engines for third-party clients.
"To see this bespoke V12 come to life after months of intense development is an indescribable feeling," said Nelson Hartley, CEO of Hartley Engines and brother of former Formula 1 driver and three-time Le Mans winner Brendon Hartley.
"This isn't just an engine; it’s a piece of art that pushes the boundaries of what a naturally aspirated power unit can do. We knew we had something special on paper, but seeing it outperform expectations on the dyno right out of the gate is phenomenal."
The next steps for this New Zealand-built masterpiece involve final calibration and refinement cycles in Palmerston North before the engine is shipped to Nilu27’s R&D facilities in Lahr, Germany. Once there, it will be integrated into the brand's first driving prototype, carrying a significant piece of New Zealand engineering to the global hypercar stage.
The Nilu will pair the Kiwi V12 with a 7-speed manual transmission for a top speed of 400km/h (limited) from the 1200kg hypercar, which features forged aluminium alloy double-wishbone pushrod suspension, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminium alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres (265/35 R20 front and 325/30 R21 rear), and little else - there's no forced induction, no electrification and no driver aids.
Nilu27 intends to start with a run of just 15 track-only launch editions of the hypercar before commissioning 54 street-legal units - all at an as yet unconfirmed price.
