Hidden beneath the retro-modern bodywork lies a seven-speed gated manual, a single screen, and... not much else. It's safe to say, this car is delightfully analogue.

Fancy a brand-new V12-powered, manually-driven, wildly spectacular hypercar? Meet the Nilu from the freshly minted Nilu27. It’s the brainchild of Sasha Selipanov—a designer who’s left his mark at Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and a few other lesser-known marques. This creation proudly flips the bird to digitalisation and electrification.

Underneath sits a mid-mounted 6.5-litre, naturally aspirated hot-V engine, crafted in collaboration with New Zealand’s Hartley Engines. It roars up to nearly 12,000rpm, though it can actually exceed 15,000rpm. The redline was set lower to strike a balance between performance and reliability.

Nelson Harley, the founder of Hartley Engines, describes it as: “This is not an OEM engine from another manufacturer; this is a bespoke, large bore, short stroke monster. It’s got aggressive cams, aggressive port flow, lightweight components, and exotic materials. We want to get a cold sweat every time the V12 starts and revs.”

Selipanov insists that Nilu27 isn’t “a numbers brand,” focusing instead on experience and emotion. Funny that, considering a targeted output of over 745kW and a curb weight of around 1,200kg seems pretty numbers-driven. The best part? You’ll be channeling all that power through a seven-speed, open-gate, longitudinally-mounted manual gearbox. The ASMR will be off the charts.

Surrounding that engine are double wishbone and pushrod suspension, a carbon monocoque with aluminium-alloy tubular subframes, and a custom-built tub. These elements are standard fare for an ambitious hypercar, but let’s talk about the real allure: design.

The carbon-clad exterior is a symphony of tight angles and small crevices, creating a taut physique. The exposed mechanical rear end resembles a non-botched version of those thousand-kilowatt drag-strip Huracáns you see in North America, and it’s great for cooling.

You’ll also find 12-into-1 exhaust headers in all their glory with this exposed setup, culminating in the high, centrally-positioned triple Inconel exhaust tips. Along the sides, you’ll spot 20/21-inch AppTech centre-lock wheels and Brembo carbon ceramic brakes—made from the brand’s finest—wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.

Gull-wing doors grant entry to the cabin, which appears to be... somewhat snug. The seats are fixed in a sunken position, inspired by late Sixties Le Mans prototypes like the Ferrari 330 P4.

The only ‘computerised’ screen is the digital rear-view mirror—everything else remains as traditional as a bag of chips with lots of vinegar and curry sauce. No driver mode toggles or heavy customisation with the mechanical setup here.

Selipanov wants his car to be accessible and thrilling: “What is the point of the RB17 unless customers are planning on training their neck muscles every day of the week? The average customer is nowhere near the realm of physical performance to operate that sort of vehicle. We want to make a car that can thrill and use your senses but is ultimately accessible and enjoyable by the above-average level of talent we see among hypercar drivers.

“I’ve been in a several-million-pound Le Mans Hypercar driven by a professional. But that same afternoon, I got into a stripped-down Lotus Exige with plexiglass, slick tyres, and straight-cut gears, and it impressed me so much—from being strapped in with a five-point harness to the fire extinguisher and lack of interior.

“We, of course, won’t be going quite that bare-bones, but we are much closer to that experience than a refined, cathedral of cars like those from Bugatti. That’s not what we want; we want a raw, old-school, no-nonsense automotive experience.”

Only 15 track-only launch editions of the Nilu will be made, followed by 54 street-legal units—all at an undisclosed price. With the public debut set for next week at Pebble Beach, production in California is expected to begin shortly after.