Kode89 combines V12 power with a gated manual
Japanese coachbuilder Ken Okuyama Cars has unveiled the Kode89, a limited-edition supercar featuring a naturally aspirated V12 engine and a gated manual transmission. The vehicle emphasizes traditional mechanical performance over modern hybrid or dual-clutch technology.
Why it matters
The Kode89 represents a niche market trend of 'analog' supercars that prioritize driver engagement and mechanical purity in an era increasingly dominated by electrification and automation.
Back to Blog News Kode89 combines V12 power with a gated manual Words: Kyle Cassidy Author Published 19 August 2026 Japanese coachbuilder Ken Okuyama Cars has revealed the Kode89, an ultra-limited supercar that combines a naturally aspirated V12 with a gated manual gearbox and styling inspired by the 1980s and 1990s.
Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance during Monterey Car Week, the Kode89 takes a deliberately traditional approach to performance. There is no hybrid system, four-figure power output or dual-clutch transmission here.
Instead, the recipe consists of an aluminium space-frame chassis, carbon-fibre bodywork, rear-wheel drive and a longitudinally mounted V12.
The Kode89 measures 4611mm long and 1996mm wide but stands just 1139mm tall.
Its shape features a long, low nose, wide cabin and sharply defined bodywork. Rather than covering the car in large wings and complex aerodynamic devices, Okuyama has kept the exterior relatively uncluttered.
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