In an era when the automotive industry is increasingly shifting toward electrification and digital technology, Nilu27 has reached a significant milestone with its uncompromisingly analog NILU hypercar. Founders Sasha and Inna Selipanov traveled to New Zealand to witness the first successful startup of the all-new naturally aspirated V12 engine developed exclusively for the company’s debut hypercar.
The milestone was achieved on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, when the bespoke powerplant completed a flawless first firing. Developed in partnership with New Zealand-based Hartley Engines, the V12 showcases a traditional high-performance engineering approach centered on a distinctive “Hot V” configuration that positions the exhaust headers between the cylinder banks to optimize both packaging and performance.
Originally targeted to produce 1,070 horsepower, the engine has already surpassed that figure during initial dynamometer testing while revving to an extraordinary 11,000-rpm redline.
“This is the moment theory became reality,” said Sasha Selipanov, Founder of Nilu27. “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,” he concluded.
“I’ve been in the automotive and hypercar industry for more than 25 years, and I’ve never seen a brand-new engine configuration fire-up and run this smoothly on the first attempt,” said Simon Waegner, CTO/COO of Nilu27. “The precision of the engineering and the seamless integration between our team and Hartley Engines was highly impressive. This is a massive win for our production timeline and performance targets.”
Nelson Hartley from Hartley Engines, echoed the excitement from the workshop floor in New Zealand: “To see this bespoke V12 come to life after months of intense development is an indescribable feeling. 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.”
ENGINEERING PURITY
At the core of the NILU hypercar is a 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 featuring an 80-degree bank angle. Its signature “Hot V” architecture places the exhaust manifolds between the cylinder heads, allowing heat to exit directly through the car’s fully exposed rear engine bay while contributing to a compact, performance-focused package.
- Configuration: Naturally aspirated 6.5L V12 (Hot V)
- Target Output: 1,070HP (exceeded during initial dyno testing)
- Peak RPM: 11,000RPM redline
- Transmission: 7-speed manual
NEXT STEPS
Following additional testing, calibration and refinement in New Zealand, the V12 will be shipped from Palmerston North to Nilu27’s research, development and production facility in Lahr, Germany. There, the engine will be installed in the company’s first drivable prototype as development of the NILU hypercar continues.
The collaboration between Nilu27 and Hartley Engines has also evolved beyond the NILU program. Strong industry interest and inquiries from other manufacturers seeking high-performance internal combustion powertrains have prompted the companies to finalize a joint venture focused on designing and producing road-certified, high-performance engines for third-party automotive clients.
Above contents © 2026 Nilu, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee 🏁
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