Friday 22nd November 2013

Kode 9 and Kode 7 sports cars debut at Tokyo

Never heard of Kode or Ken Okuyama? He designed the Ferrari Enzo...

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In amongst all the lifestyle SUV predictability here at the 2013 Tokyo motor show, there is some rather more interesting machinery - and we're not just talking eccentric concepts. Amongst the most interesting is a pair of new sports car, the Kode 7 and Kode 9, from Ken Okuyama Design.

Kode 7 has previously been seen at Geneva

If the name Ken Okuyama sounds familiar, that's because he's a car designer who's previously worked for GM, Porsche and - most famously - Pininfarina, where he was responsible for the Ferrari Enzo and the previous generation Maserati Quattroporte. Some pedigree.

You might also vaguely recognise the Kode 7, which appeared at Geneva in 2008 as the ko.7. This is a lightweight, pared back track car, looking a little bit like a two-seater Formula Ford - the detailing here is absolutely stunning, from the toggle switches to the exposed gear linkage to the diamond pattern stitching.

It weighs as little as 790kg, and is available with a choice of engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.4 litres, which poke out through the top of the bodywork behind the cockpit, emphasising the minimalist vibe.

A pared back sports car called a 7? Hmm...

The black and silver car in the pictures is an Exclusive version that's already on sale, the red one a stripped-back Clubman variant making its world debut here in Tokyo. More than 50% of the Clubman's parts have been made using a 3D printer, and the engine in the back is a 250hp 1.6 of unspecified Japanese origin. The Exclusive on show features a 230hp 2.0 litre.

Also making its world debut in Tokyo is the Kode 9. This low-slung coupe is doing absolutely nothing to discourage Speed Racer comparisons with that white and red colour scheme, but Okuyama says, "This is my message to today's car industry which seems stuck in a rut of overly complicated lines and styling based on the lowest common denominator."

Retro, yes. Bad on that basis? Absolutely not, as far as we're concerned. And underlining its credentials, the one on display is powered by a 2.0-litre Honda VTEC engine enhanced by an HKS supercharger kit to the tune of 370hp.

9 coupe powered by a supercharged VTEC

It weighs just 870kg, and has brakes by Akebono - the Formula One supplier that handles the McLaren P1's stopping power.

Both the Kode 7 and the Kode 9 are based around a 'hydro-formed aluminium chassis' - no prizes for guessing this comes from a Lotus Elise. But the Kodes use their own suspension design front and rear, and Okuyama will happily build you one in right- or left-hand drive.

The price? Well, that's probably open to some interpretation as it crosses international borders, and since the cars are built to order there are plenty of variables involved. However the Kode 7 Exclusive officially starts at 25 million Yen, which is around £155,000.

 

 

[Oddball RS]

He needs to find a new career path..............

[Fetchez la vache]

So... if the Kode 7 is £155k, the Kode 9 is.... [shudders]

[GrumpyTwig]

Both look like somewhat dubious kit cars, one of which is based off a car with a track width about 2 feet too small.

[TheBigUnit]

Beautiful cars, with what sounds like clever engineering to back them up. Shame they will be so rare.

[MX7]

Both nice, but the 7 looks like a MEV Sonic 7, which is a couple of quid cheaper.

[OlberJ]

Exactly what I was going to say.

[toppstuff]

I think the Kode 9 is very pretty . Lovely looking thing. A bit retro, a bit modern. Nice.

[P4ROT]

First one reminded me of this:

[Ninjajim76]

MX7 said:

Both nice, but the 7 looks like a MEV Sonic 7, which is a couple of quid cheaper.

ditto... initially thought it was one built under franchise.

[ugg10]

I think Stuart Mills needs to file a copyright law suit on the 7!!!

As for the Kode 9 - squished Masetati front (think MC12 left out in the sun), Lotus Evora glass and Sunseeker rear end - a mess IMHO.

Edited by ugg10 on Friday 22 November 12:49

[voltcontrol]

Oddball RS said:

He needs to find a new career path..............

Indeed, seriously ugly cars. Goes for the Enzo as well.

[zimzum]

I'll take this part only, please

[FlossyThePig]

ugg10 said:

I think Stuart Mills needs to file a copyright law suit on the 7!!!

As the Kode 7 is based on the KO.7 concept displayed at Geneva Motor Show, March 2008 perhaps Stiggy got his inspiration from it.

[RemarkLima]

Article said:

This is my message to today's car industry which seems stuck in a rut of overly complicated lines and styling based on the lowest common denominator

Too true, 99% of curs currently are just looking the same with a different badge wedge on the front, like it's all designed by committee.

[loveice]

Kode 7 wasn't a good design ever since it was introduced.

However, Kode 9 is quite beautiful. The two pics PH chose to show were the worst to show its lines, surface and proportion. You have to understand it's a bit like those tiny sports cars from the 60s. Here's is a vid of its design progress PH should've included in the above article:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30yu5CKBys4

Mind you Ken was the chief designer at Pininfarina for quite few years. Enzo wasn't the first car designed under his leadership. There are quite few beautiful other designs, too, such as Birdcage and P4/5 were all overseen by him.

Edited by loveice on Friday 22 November 13:34

Edited by loveice on Friday 22 November 14:51

[loveice]

ugg10 said:

I think Stuart Mills needs to file a copyright law suit on the 7!!!

As for the Kode 9 - squished Masetati front (think MC12 left out in the sun), Lotus Evora glass and Sunseeker rear end - a mess IMHO.

Edited by ugg10 on Friday 22 November 12:49

Please, check your facts before all the '!!!'. Kode 7 was deigned back in 2005, and was launched in 2006.

As the article mentioned Kode 9 is based on Elise's chassis which is the same as Evora's. So, same 'glass' is what expected.

MC12 was designed with help from Ken, anyway. So, what's the problem?

Everybody has own preferred rear end...

Edited by loveice on Friday 22 November 13:33

Edited by loveice on Friday 22 November 13:38

[BBS-LM]

My eyes!

[ugg10]

I stand corrected (get's coat) on the timescales of the two respective cars in discussion, thought the piece was about release of new cars from Kode not a legacy car that had been available for 8 years. Quote "Amongst the most interesting is a pair of new sports car, the Kode 7 and Kode 9, from Ken Okuyama Design".

Still the Kode 9 does nothing for me (IMHO) based on the pictures provided.

Edited by ugg10 on Friday 22 November 14:33

[RedAndy]

the 9 looks a bit like a Ribble front end (another kit car).

[Whiters]

loveice said:

However, Kode 9 is quite beautiful. The two pics PH chose to show were the worst to show its lines, surface and proportion. You have to understand it's a bit like those tiny sports cars from the 60s...

Agreed on the Kode 9. The first thing it reminded me of was the small Abarth and Alfa Racers of the sixties. I think the 9 is superb, but despite the fact the VTEC will probably be a cracking unit, I'd want something a little bit more special for the money they're likely to be asking for it (based on the prices quoted for the 7).