{"id":891910,"date":"2025-11-26T03:20:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T03:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=891910"},"modified":"2025-11-26T03:22:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T03:22:07","slug":"jay-lenos-first-look-at-the-nilu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/jay-lenos-first-look-at-the-nilu\/","title":{"rendered":"Jay Leno’s First Look at the NILU"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the newest episode of Jay Leno\u2019s Garage<\/a>, Jay introduces a new, pre-production supercar called the NILU, created as a ground-up project rather than a parts-bin build. Its designer, Sasha Selipanov<\/a>, appears on the show to discuss the car and his background.<\/p>\n

Sasha Selipanov\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes work on the Lamborghini Hurac\u00e1n, Bugatti Chiron, Vision Gran Turismo concept, and the unreleased 2015 Atlantic coupe. He later moved to Koenigsegg, serving as chief designer on the Jesko and CC850. Together with his wife, Inna \u2014who handles business and marketing\u2014he has now founded his own company.<\/p>\n

The NILU<\/a> name is derived from their daughters, Nica and Lucia. Celipano explains that the car\u2019s flowing surfaces are inspired by classic Italian metal-shaping techniques, translated into CAD with planarized curves that appear flat from specific angles. The body, tub, and panels are made entirely of carbon fiber, while metal tube subframes expose more of the drivetrain. Actual gold heat shielding surrounds the engine bay.<\/p>\n

The engine is a bespoke 6.5-liter, naturally aspirated, 11,000-rpm V8 developed with Hartley Engines in New Zealand. Designed as a hot-V layout with four cams, it produces over 1,000 horsepower. The drivetrain is fully exposed, and early cars will be delivered without an engine cover. Power goes through a seven-speed manual gearbox from CIMA, and the target weight is roughly 1,250 kg.<\/p>\n