Ken Okuyama is teasing a new boutique hypercar that puts driving feel ahead of outright acceleration. The Kode89 is set to combine a naturally aspirated V12 with a manual transmission, offering a distinctly analog approach as high-end performance cars increasingly embrace digital technology and electrification.
Kode89 Revives the V12 Manual Formula
Details about the Kode89 remain limited, but the car is expected to feature a proprietary chassis built around an aluminum space frame. Its most notable feature will be the engine, with customers able to choose from a variety of 12-cylinder power units.
Whichever naturally aspirated V12 a customer selects, it will be paired with a manual transmission. That combination places the focus on the driving experience rather than simply chasing the fastest acceleration figures.
The company describes the Kode89 as a bespoke model that will be produced in extremely limited quantities, combining analog driving passion with cutting-edge technology. It is also described as a “Made in Japan Carrozzeria hypercar.”
Why the Kode89 Is Called Kode89
The name Kode89 references 1989, a significant year for the Japanese car industry. According to the Japanese source Response Media, that period represented a point when “Car design was at its peak.”
The Kode89 is being presented as a back-to-basics interpretation of the hypercar, with its design coming from Ken Okuyama and his design studio.
Kode89 Set for Pebble Beach Debut
Teasers of the new flagship model have been released ahead of its world premiere at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, U.S.A.
The unveiling also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Ken Okuyama’s design studio. Founded in 2006, the studio is marking the milestone with the Kode89.
A Hypercar Built Around Driver Engagement
The Kode89 arrives at a time when electric hypercars and SUVs are delivering increasingly rapid acceleration. With outright speed becoming less central to the appeal of some high-end cars, the Kode89 instead emphasizes the physical experience of driving.
Its naturally aspirated V12 and manual transmission are intended to provide a more direct connection between the driver and the car. The combination also reflects growing interest in traditional driving characteristics among discerning high-end customers.
With its proprietary aluminum space-frame chassis, multiple V12 options and manual gearbox, the Kode89 is positioned as an extremely limited bespoke hypercar built around Ken Okuyama’s design philosophy.
