Ken Okuyama K.O7 - New trackcar directly inspired from the Seven - LotusTalk

AnsisK · 03-13-2008, 07:22 PM

Seems pretty good, but jokingly expensive. Take a look-see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winding Road

Today’s little miracle? The K.O. 7 Spider, a minimalist two-seat roadster from designer Ken Okuyama. Now, latter-day Lotus 7s are a dime a dozen in this business, but this one is surprisingly well proportioned, and better still, handsomely finished. Okuyama-san’s P.R. folks aren’t at liberty to discuss where they sourced the engine for the K.O. 7, but it is powered by a rear-mid-engine 2.0-liter 240 horsepower of Japanese origin, so use your imagination. Given that it weighs just 750 kilograms (about 1650 pounds), the little carbon and aluminum-bodied roadster should scoot down the road and around corners quite nicely.

Okuyama-san expects to build 99 examples of the K.O. 7 with MODI, and the gorgeously done interior (complete with TAG Heuer gauges, custom made thin-back racing buckets, and a twin cowl design) is expected to make the transition to production. Everything is so nicely done that we suggest spending a bit of money on the steering column control stalks, which are frankly a little ordinary.

We also hope to see the novel headlamps make it into production, which ride low against the nose cone until activated, at which point they swing up and out on their own arms to better light the road ahead.

Now, why should we expect this car to succeed where others have failed? Okuyama-san has a solid track record of producing hits, and has worked for Porsche, Pininfarina (where he helped design the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati Quattroporte), and even General Motors (where he served as Design Director and Chief Designer and helped design the C5 Corvette).

The only potential sticking point may be price. For such an exclusive, hand craftsmanship-intensive project, the K.O. 7 may well ring up north of $100,000 U.S.

Source, more pictures and also press release here:

http://news.windingroad.com/countrie...e-ko-7-spider/

The Stig · 03-13-2008, 09:11 PM

I like...

charliex · 03-13-2008, 09:12 PM

its nice but seems awfully expensive.

Serebo1 · 03-13-2008, 09:14 PM

Cool. Looks like a 7, an Atom, and a Spyker collided.

charliex · 03-13-2008, 09:15 PM

I can't see the spyker elements personally, since it doesn't look like a murse factory collided with a sex shop.

Serebo1 · 03-13-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliex

I can't see the spyker elements personally, since it doesn't look like a murse factory collided with a sex shop.

The interior is a bit "jeweled up" for my taste. And those wheels...

thegit · 03-16-2008, 12:47 PM

Err, Doesn't look seven inspired to me.
Non roadster proportions, mid engined, mudguards on monoposto looks.
Closest would be formula ford inspired.

m

ace10 · 03-16-2008, 12:50 PM

looks even more costly to repair than a lotus in the event of a shunt.

AnsisK · 03-18-2008, 10:17 PM

Winding Road isn't the only blog that cited the Seven being inspiration for Okuyama's racer. That's the only reason I posted this.

nockpoint · 03-18-2008, 10:22 PM

Seems a bit heavy at 1650 pounds for what this car is no? Neil how light did you get your Elise there at the end?

The Stig · 03-18-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nockpoint

Seems a bit heavy at 1650 pounds for what this car is no? Neil how light did you get your Elise there at the end?

1660 lbs wet

gameson · 03-18-2008, 11:15 PM

what's the engine? K20 Honda?

Patricko · 03-19-2008, 03:17 PM

I am shocked that none of you can see that he has built that on an Elise chassis

I think $100K is more than fair, Ken Okuyama will go down in history as one of the great car designers

Mods, this should be moved to Elise variants

03-13-2008, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Stig Driving my Corolla : ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: who's asking? Posts: 4,225	I like... __________________ WTF people?

03-13-2008, 09:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
charliex disproving HD MTBF daily Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 8,188	its nice but seems awfully expensive. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100 ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660

03-13-2008, 09:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Serebo1 fm78.tv - check it. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,730 Images: 3	Cool. Looks like a 7, an Atom, and a Spyker collided. __________________ Matte Black, Sport, Touring, ***** intake (TBA), RAC Mono wheels, Painted Shift knob, smoked turn signals, Alpine SPS 6.5" rear speakers, MB Quarts, JVC Nav, Starshield, LBH exhaust, Dpic perf. gauge, Custom true HID projectors, GUT wing and splitter, Mesh side pods, Sector111 harness bar and 4-point harness, Lotus Sport Ohlins double-adjustable suspension, swaybar, '06 LED tailights, Toda flywheel, Lotusport interior.

03-13-2008, 09:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
charliex disproving HD MTBF daily Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 8,188	I can't see the spyker elements personally, since it doesn't look like a murse factory collided with a sex shop. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100 ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660

03-16-2008, 12:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
ace10 LT = LH slurpy slurp fest Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rural NoVA Posts: 4,449 Images: 35	looks even more costly to repair than a lotus in the event of a shunt. __________________ 2007 Exige S, Storm Ti. Sport, Track and TC.Plus: Multivex Mirrors, S111 Deltabrace, Sparco 6Pt harnesses (w/Ti Dave's Antisub belt mount), I/O Port video mount, Snorkel delete, Shims out, Rearview Mirror delete, 2Bular 7X18, Pagid RS42's, Saiku Michi catch can and, of course, blingy carpet buttons. 08 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7, 06 M-B E320 cdi, 02 Lexus LX470, 94 Toyota FZJ80 Landcruiser, 97 Bobcat 751C The Red Pill Ignore Me *Be sure too save your IL before browsing away

03-16-2008, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
thegit Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Iowa. Posts: 1,015	Err, Doesn't look seven inspired to me. Non roadster proportions, mid engined, mudguards on monoposto looks. Closest would be formula ford inspired. m

03-18-2008, 10:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
AnsisK Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,183	Winding Road isn't the only blog that cited the Seven being inspiration for Okuyama's racer. That's the only reason I posted this. __________________ Cut me I'd bleed Lotus. -Gordon Murray Quiet Noises

03-18-2008, 10:22 PM	#10 (permalink)
nockpoint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 678	Seems a bit heavy at 1650 pounds for what this car is no? Neil how light did you get your Elise there at the end?

03-18-2008, 11:15 PM	#12 (permalink)
gameson Track Addict Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,819	what's the engine? K20 Honda?

03-19-2008, 03:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Patricko Elise Royalty Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 5,827	I am shocked that none of you can see that he has built that on an Elise chassis I think $100K is more than fair, Ken Okuyama will go down in history as one of the great car designers Mods, this should be moved to Elise variants __________________ Providing an opportunity for others to live vicariously through me since 2004 ® Last edited by Patricko : 03-19-2008 at 03:33 PM. Reason: Title was OTT

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