The Man Behind the Ferrari Enzo Has Just Unveiled His Own V12 Supercar

Ken Okuyama, the designer who contributed to the Ferrari Enzo, has launched his own hand-built supercar: the Kode89. This low-volume machine channels 1980s and 1990s angular styling with a razor-sharp, uncluttered design that relies on pure shape rather than aerodynamic trickery. The car rides on a bespoke aluminum spaceframe chassis with a longitudinally mounted mid-engine V12. Ken Okuyama Cars will build only eight examples, making it one of the most exclusive supercars on the planet. Three have already been sold. The base model features a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated V12 producing 540 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm) of torque. A flagship version uses a larger 5.9-liter V12 from a Japanese tuner, pushing output to around 750 horsepower. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a six-speed gated manual transmission. The Kode89 measures 181.5 inches (4,611 mm) long, 78.6 inches (1,996 mm) wide, and just 44.8 inches (1,139 mm) tall, with a long, low body and wide stance. Ken Okuyama, who previously worked at Pininfarina and helped design the Ferrari Enzo, founded his own coachbuilding firm in Japan. Earlier projects include the Kode 0 (based on the Lamborghini Aventador) and the Kode 57 (based on the Ferrari 599), while the Kode 9 used a Lotus Elise chassis. The Kode89, however, is a fully in-house creation. Buyers can personalize their cars with a concierge service, choosing between stripped-down performance builds or more luxurious interpretations. The Kode89 debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance during Monterey Car Week, standing out as a deliberate rejection of modern supercar trends—no hybrid systems, no four-digit horsepower figures, no dual-clutch gearboxes, and no hidden mechanics. Instead, it offers raw, analog driving with a naturally aspirated V12, a six-speed manual, an aluminum chassis, and carbon-fiber bodywork. With a remarkably low curb weight, it’s a machine built for enthusiasts who value purity over performance specs alone. Ken Okuyama isn’t chasing volume; he’s crafting a modern-day collector’s piece that major automakers can no longer justify building.