The Kode57 is a supercar that is capturing a lot of attention
Floyd Mayweather is known around the world because of his legendary boxing career and that’s because he is undefeated with an incredible 50 wins. Around his friendship circles though, ‘Money May’ is known for his lavish lifestyle and ludicrous spending habits. Throughout his career, Mayweather has accumulated some serious dough, he is one of two athletes ever, who have made over $1 billion, joining Tiger Woods in sharing that accolade.
Mayweather knows how to spend it too as he regularly invests into his second biggest passion, car collecting. According to his L.A dealer, Mayweather is said to have bought over 100 cars from their dealership alone, and he allegedly only pays in cash. In his current garage though, a collection of cars worth $15 million, including 16 Rolls Royces, 3 Bugattis and 2 Ferraris. Among these numerously expensive cars, there is one that stands out from the pack, the 2017 Kode57 Supercar.
Kode57 Features
Mayweather is the owner of this exclusive and exotic supercar, of which only five were made. The Kode57 was crafted by an Industrial designer named Ken Okyama, for his self-titled car company. Okyama is a renowned car designer and has worked with many heavyweights such as Porsche, Maserati and Ferrari. The Kode57 was a life project of his and was inspired by the year, 1957, a watershed year that he says was, “iconic in which many legendary cars were born and motor racing gained a strong worldwide following.” The Kode57 is a highly original and somewhat peculiar supercar, and despite its vintage inspiration, it really stands alone in its class.
It is exactly what a car enthusiast would design on paper, but not exactly what an established and renowned car designer would be thought of designing
The Kode57 looks like a toy racing car, it is bright red with over the top profile features such as gigantic air vents, a hood scoop, racing stripes and no roof. It is exactly what a car enthusiast would design on paper, but not exactly what an established and renowned car designer would be thought of designing. It is clear that it was inspired by Ferrari classics, with its bright red colour and aggressively muscular profile, and even the nose shape and rear end resemble many Ferarris.
One thing is for certain though, that the Kode57 is not everyone’s cup of tea because the car just seems to lack a kind of sophistication one would expect of a supercar that costs $2.5 million; it somehow comes across as a bit childish. Just look at the door windows and windscreen, it looks like a motor boat. With that said, it is not clear that this perception of it really matters, the Kode57 clearly personifies passion and outright fun. So perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be taken as a serious competitor in the supercar realm.
Aesthetic critique aside, the nuts and bolts of this car are impressive. It is claimed by its makers that the 600 horsepower Kode57 will have one of the most powerful V-12 engines in the world. The transmission is electro-hydraulic, with a 6-speed ratio, and the body is completely made from lightweight carbon-fibre.
The Kode57 was designed with the racing car enthusiast in mind and judging by its appearance, that is quite clear. Many of its components visually and mechanically have been borrowed from Ferrari and is essentially a modern take on a 1957 track car. Despite this, the car has an identity of its own and Okyama’s tribute to a special year is evident, as is his passion, but the Kode57 really does miss the mark. It is a 4-wheeled contraption of confusion, it doesn’t know if it is a racing car or a yacht and the collaboration of old and new was a nice idea but with the Kode57, it just doesn’t work. Sorry Floyd.
