Photo: Nilu27
It sounds exotic, it looks exotic, and it promises to be motorized insanity. It is a V12-powered contraption that the company throws into the spotlight as its first product in what it labels as "an extraordinary lineup."
Founded earlier this year, Nilu27 is the brainchild of Sasha and Inna Selipanov. After working for the biggest names in the industry, such as Lamborghini, Bugatti, and Koenigsegg, Sasha decided to found his own startup and build cars, as he feels that sports car development has veered off course in a desperate attempt to check too many boxes.
Over the past few years, sports car manufacturers have tried to make them quicker, lighter, and greener, while turning them into technologically futuristic machineries and trying to keep up with the ever stricter emission regulations.
During a podcast last year, he went as far as saying that they are all the same because they are built in compliance with the same set of rules and regulations, which turn them into sterile products that bring no emotion.
Now, Selipanov plans to roll out "an extraordinary vehicle lineup" over the next ten years. The Nilu hypercar is the opening act. The details remain undisclosed, as the Selipanov team wants to keep it wrapped in mystery until mid-August when it will be officially unveiled at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week.
What we do know is what they promise: cars that will be both beautiful and brutal, offering an authentic analog driving experience, even if it means – they say – divorcing from technology. A naturally aspirated V12 engine is the one to blame for the most part of it. Considering the cars that Stelipanov has worked on before, we should expect it to pump out impressive horsepower.
The Nilu team labels itself as "unfazed by digitalization, electrification, and other distractions." However, to make their car street-legal, they will have to comply with certain regulations.
"Nilu" does sound exotic from the first to the very last letter. It is a combination of the founders' daughters' names, Nica and Lucia, which confirms that the startup is every inch a family business.
Sasha Selipanov comes with quite a background. He has previously worked on the Lamborghini Huracan, was involved in the Bugatti Chiron development, penned the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo, and is to blame for the way the Koenigsegg Gemera and Koenigsegg CC850 look. Those cars are just chapters in his two-decade adventure in the automotive industry.
Sasha teamed up with Inna Selipanov, who brings extensive marketing and business development experience. The two have been married for more than 20 years and collaborated during their stints at Genesis and Koenigsegg.
For Sasha Selipanov, everything started the moment he laid eyes on an old magazine clipping of Gilles Villeneuve in his #27 Formula 1 car, power sliding out of a corner. It is the image that sparked the passion, which took him on a rollercoaster ride that culminates with his own company: Nilu27.
The model has been living in Sasha's mind and sketchbook since 2007. His vision is finally taking shape. The car will first be shown to a select few in Los Angeles in early August, and then, it will be on display at Pebble Beach Golf Course on August 15, during the Monterey Car Week. On August 17 and 18, it will be on the Concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Over the past few years, sports car manufacturers have tried to make them quicker, lighter, and greener, while turning them into technologically futuristic machineries and trying to keep up with the ever stricter emission regulations.
During a podcast last year, he went as far as saying that they are all the same because they are built in compliance with the same set of rules and regulations, which turn them into sterile products that bring no emotion.
Now, Selipanov plans to roll out "an extraordinary vehicle lineup" over the next ten years. The Nilu hypercar is the opening act. The details remain undisclosed, as the Selipanov team wants to keep it wrapped in mystery until mid-August when it will be officially unveiled at Pebble Beach during Monterey Car Week.
What we do know is what they promise: cars that will be both beautiful and brutal, offering an authentic analog driving experience, even if it means – they say – divorcing from technology. A naturally aspirated V12 engine is the one to blame for the most part of it. Considering the cars that Stelipanov has worked on before, we should expect it to pump out impressive horsepower.
The Nilu team labels itself as "unfazed by digitalization, electrification, and other distractions." However, to make their car street-legal, they will have to comply with certain regulations.
"Nilu" does sound exotic from the first to the very last letter. It is a combination of the founders' daughters' names, Nica and Lucia, which confirms that the startup is every inch a family business.
Sasha Selipanov comes with quite a background. He has previously worked on the Lamborghini Huracan, was involved in the Bugatti Chiron development, penned the Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo, and is to blame for the way the Koenigsegg Gemera and Koenigsegg CC850 look. Those cars are just chapters in his two-decade adventure in the automotive industry.
Sasha teamed up with Inna Selipanov, who brings extensive marketing and business development experience. The two have been married for more than 20 years and collaborated during their stints at Genesis and Koenigsegg.
For Sasha Selipanov, everything started the moment he laid eyes on an old magazine clipping of Gilles Villeneuve in his #27 Formula 1 car, power sliding out of a corner. It is the image that sparked the passion, which took him on a rollercoaster ride that culminates with his own company: Nilu27.
The model has been living in Sasha's mind and sketchbook since 2007. His vision is finally taking shape. The car will first be shown to a select few in Los Angeles in early August, and then, it will be on display at Pebble Beach Golf Course on August 15, during the Monterey Car Week. On August 17 and 18, it will be on the Concept lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
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