Let's all welcome new 1,070hp V12 into world
Startup Nilu promised much with its wild hypercar - first dyno test of engine suggests it's coming along nicely
Those with exceptional powers of recall might just remember the Nilu from a couple of years ago. The hypercar shown at Monterey Car Week was notable for two reasons: one, its remarkable appearance, courtesy of Sasha Selipanov (also the brand’s co-founder), whose previous employers include Koenigsegg and Bugatti. And two, the all-new, naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 that was conceived to power its two-seat carbon monocoque. Via a seven-speed manual, obviously.
Back in 2024, it was said that car and engine would be shown together in California, though now it seems likely that the latter was a mock-up, as Hartley Engines, the New Zealand-based maker of the V12, has since reported that its first successful start-up occurred just last month. Sasha and Inna Selipanov (his wife and co-founder) joined the engineers in Palmerston North for the occasion, and were apparently impressed by what they saw. And heard.
“This is the moment theory became reality. By firing-up this stunning V12 we didn't only prove our engineering capabilities, we delivered the soul of the NILU,” note Sasha. “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.”
It’s also going to make it spectacularly loud. Let’s not forget this was an engine targeting 1,070hp, and capable of spinning to 11,000rpm. Nilu suggests that initial testing on the dyno has already shown the V12 capable of exceeding its output objective. For context, the 6.5-litre Cosworth-built unit that Aston installed in the Valkyrie produces 1,014hp at 10,500rpm - so it isn’t hard to see where Hartley might have got its benchmark numbers from.
"To see this bespoke V12 come to life after months of intense development is an indescribable feeling,” said Nelson 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."
We’re inclined to agree with that assessment, not least because we haven’t got over the malevolent look of the thing, which, thanks to the placement of the exhaust headers between the cylinder heads and the integrated tailpipe design, gives it the kind of vibe that H.R. Giger brought to the original Alien. You’re welcome to return to the original story for a more detailed technical breakdown, but really all you need to know at this point in the development process is what the new V12 sounds like out of the womb. So get clicking above.
While I'm not sure about the styling the position of the exhausts imposes some limitations, but I'd still rather have a GMA T33 if I won the Lottery so back in the real world I'll never have either!
But I love the fact that they exist.
Wakes up in morning thinks: "Should I get in the helicoptor and fly to my yacht in Monaco where I can give a party inviting a dozen supermodels (and Jude Bellingham), or should I have a drive in slow moving traffic on the M1 and hope that a butterfly doesn't land on the accelerator pedal in the 50 mph roadworks and cause me to trigger a speed camera." Tough decision.
However if I had the money to buy the car I wouldn't. I'd spend it on a World War 2 Spitfire £3 mil or so - which I would use every day (even forgoing the party).
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