After 10 years of development, the Bufori CS8 is finally launched . We gave you a first look at the production CS8 from last week’s Affin Bank track day event at Sepang International Circuit, and now here is the coupe in its full glory, sans camouflage. What do you think?
Compared to the CS prototype that we detailed back in 2019, it’s immediately apparent that the production CS8 is longer, and the good guys from Kepong (yes, Bufori is based there with 150 Malaysian staff) confirm that the wheelbase has been lengthened by 350 mm. Also longer are the rear overhangs, and the resulting coupe looks better proportioned, and the extra length benefits cabin space too.
The bigger body – made from Bufori’s signature carbon-kevlar hybrid composite, which it first used way back in 1989 – was in the company’s plans all along. As we reported back in 2019, the extra length and more luxurious trappings are part of a move away from the prototype’s sports car origins to a ‘grand touring’ brief.
We heard them mention ‘ultra high performance GT’, so you can think of the CS8 as Bufori’s rendition of an Aston Martin Vanquish or Bentley Continental GT Speed. Like those sleek British coupes, the Bufori has a big engine sitting back under its long hood.
The ‘8’ in the name stands for the number of cylinders the 6.4-litre supercharged V8 has – based on a Hemi, this blueprinted purpose-built engine with forged internals puts out a claimed 810 hp (750 of those horses can be found at the wheels) and 973 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. You’ll hear plenty of the rumbly V8 from quad exhaust tips.
Paired to an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox sending drive to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential, the CS8 dispatches the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.0 seconds flat (launch control available), while top speed is limited to 330 km/h.
The eye-popping figures exceed the original targets of 3.5 seconds and 320 km/h, and they are perhaps aided by an estimated kerb weight of 1,550 kg, which is roughly what a regular Porsche 911 weighs. There’s a built-in data logger for you to record your speedy shenanigans.
A car this fast need serious stopping power, and the brakes are slotted and ventilated floating rotors measuring 380 mm in front and 350 mm at the rear, held by six-piston calipers in front and four-piston units at the back, by Brembo. The launch car is wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres wrapping 19-inch forged alloys, and not the Pilot Sport Cup 2 R semi-slicks used at Sepang last week.
Equipment include automatic LED headlamps/DRLs/foglamps, LED rear lights, auto wipers, keyless entry and remote start, electrochromic rear view mirror, powered steering adjustment, dual-zone AC/heating, electronic parking brake, mood lighting, 13.6-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 6.1 sound system and wireless phone charger, among other kit. There’s also a surprise feature that’s very Malaysian – an integrated SmartTAG.
The seats you see here are claimed to be one of the most expensive models in the industry, specifically designed for the CS8. The leather-wrapped eight-way adjustable Recaros with four-way lumbar are significantly more comfortable than the Sabelt CF-shell racing seats found in the CS prototype – another nod in the luxury GT direction.
There are some driver assist and convenience features too, on top of basic safety items such as airbags and ESC. Bufori lists adaptive cruise control, front and rear park assist, 360-degree parking camera, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning/assist and tyre pressure monitoring on the brochure. Speaking of that, the CS8 gets a tyre repair kit and a nice Snap-On tool kit (worth RM13k) in the 252-litre boot.
When it comes to trim, your options are limitless. It’s like customising a Bentley, but with company owner Gerry Khouri’s guidance and the possibility of popping in to the factory to check on your masterpiece-in-progress. They’ll probably take you out for lunch after!
Those whose needs go beyond what mass market carmakers can provide often seek out Bufori to provide a bespoke touch to their otherwise normal cars. Fittings for virtually anything can be designed and fabricated here, whether it’s for Alphards or aircraft, and we’re expecting infinite possibilities for the CS8 too. Owners will get a scale model of their actual CS8, which is a nice touch.
Speaking of options, should you find the 6.4L supercharged V8 a bit much, you can have the same engine in naturally aspirated form (475 hp/640 Nm, still sounds great), or even a 3.6L V6 in supercharged (455 hp/495 Nm) or NA (320 hp/352 Nm) guise.
Want a twin-turbo engine with a more ‘manageable’ 3.0L capacity? 550 hp, 677 Nm, can be discussed. But if you’re going for something as offbeat as a Bufori, why not just go all out and get the full 810 horses?
The Bufori CS8 starts from RM2.188 million on-the-road without insurance, regardless of engine choice. That’s a lot of money, but perhaps the performance on offer, exclusivity and the level of ‘handmadeness’ of the car will sway a few. “No car in the world is more hand made than a Bufori,” Khouri says, adding that it takes over 9,000 man-hours to build a CS8, compared to between 18 to 450 hours for mass produced cars.
While a Bufori isn’t for everyone, the CS8 could be something interesting for someone who already has everything – the wildcard of the fleet.
GALLERY: Bufori CS8 launch
GALLERY: Bufori CS8 studio images, specification sheet and options brochure
GALLERY: Bufori CS8 preview at Sepang
GALLERY: Bufori components display
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Ugly exterior and ugly interior
Even at this price, I have no idea how they make a profit. The sales volume I doubt will go beyond two figures. Even for their Geneva limo, how many of those were sold?
There are no doubt great local talent in this company and I wish them all the best. The gov should shine more light on this company as many locals don’t even know about Bufori. Hopefully we see Bufori at the national parade!
maybe bufori got funding from GLC like Khazanah, as we know our GLC just love to throw money away to fund shiok sendiri ventures like fashion valey
True , just look at the comments here literally prove your point that many people don’t know anything about Bufori yet condemn like they own it LMAO
this trash doesnt worth 2mil.
I really hope our local millionaires and billionaires car enthusiast will support this car. It’s a totally different experience to have your bespoke supercar builder so near to you. The ability to work directly with the master craftsman who built your car, improving/changing bits & pieces as time goes by, refreshing the look and interior bits. Only Buffori can offer this now in the country.
Baik beli Ferrari.
Tapi Ferrari nak custom tak banyak pilihan. Jumpa geng Ferrari sama model takda beza. Jumpa geng Bufori sama model dua-dua kereta macam model lain.
Noted. We love our Nismo GTR also unique and powerful can smoked supercharge 6.4L V8 junk anytime anywhere
Sybau with your V6, V8 sounds miles better
Are you kidding me? You can buy a Ferrari and get it 110% customized. How can you compare Ferrari to this cut-and-paste car that even makes Chinese cars look fantastic in design and looks?
And you have no idea what customasation Bufori can offer.
Bufori is a coachbuilder. Ferrari is not. They both serve completely different clientelle. Ferrari allows “unlimited” customisations as long as it doesn’t stray from the company’s ethos and the context of the car you are purchasing. For example, Ferrari will never allow you to choose pink as a factory colour. There is only one powertrain option for each model and that is non-negotiable. A wood trim in a 296 GTB? Probably not. A chiller for the cup holder in a Roma? Never made room to allow that option. Ferrari’s Tailor Made program is simply access to a more vast catalogue, not absolute freedom.
1990’s retro?
1990s retro is ok if done right. If they really wanted a car of that proportions to look right, an effective way would be to plagiarize the Dodge Viper. Unfortunately their hodge-podge design looks like a mess and the design elements don’t flow into each other. It looks like some custom fiber bodykit job (like those heavily modded Proton Wiras) from some Autosalon car gathering
Holy 90s’ designs copy-and-paste, Batman..
above 2m why not ferrari / Lambo.. than getting a CKD shit
Bufori makes their own chassis and some suspension components like A-arms. If that’s CKD then by your logic plenty of F1 cars are CKD.
even lokal car tax free also want to charge 2 Milllion price that’s how greedy bufori are
so ugly. cut and paste design. Are they joking about that price? Is it Aston Martin level? We saw how many cars they sold so far, and this also joins the failed cars.
Why the interior like toyota
Looks like some parts are from older Dodge & Chrysler inventory.
This is all Chrysler 300C budget car inside and outside. door mirrors, IP cluster, and steering wheel. The engine and the rest are all cheap; maybe they buy them from junkyards in the US and bring them here. Even the gear shifter is 300C (check the internet and see). Any other car had a second- or third-hand but this is a super ugly, outdated so-called sports car with that price tag!!!
Car looks like it’s from 2010. If they sold this in 2010 maybe would’ve sold la. Now no hope.
Rear taillights still using bulbs for signal and reverse, “btw this is a $2million car”
Fit and finish is mehhh
The Car is black, back drop is black and the floor is also black. Someone in marketing obviously don’t know how to show their car to the world. Need color contrast, so the car stand out and the shape and contours are visibly seen.
a xiaomi su7 ultra with 1500hp will destroy this. the new Yangwang BYD just set a world record speed too. and xiaomi is just below RMB200k. I saw 2 in Shenzhen this year. The bufori price is dreaming. I ll get lambo ferrari or cheaper 911 for showing off. I ll get super ev for smoking supercar in city and some short highway. just no point getting this. no one go to track because it destroy your car tire and suspension and gearbox. the rear is ugly, the style is 30 years. sorry.
Same price as a 911 Turbo S which has better performance, brand recognition, build quality and aftersales. Hmm, what a tough choice to make!
It’s a very pretty car in my opinion. But that interior, is crazy work lol. Just a bunch of shared parts from Chrysler, Mercedes.. to name a few. That infotainment especially, so damn ugly. And the door trim, look like those old Morgans, Lotus.
Name the source of the engine.
they use Chrysler 300C SRT8 HEMI engine and gearbox. i am sure they buy from dismantlers in US or other markets. car is outdated already.
I don’t think it is “half cut”. The Mopar division sells crate engines.
Jaguh kampung car but at 2m. Waiting for waterfish. Seriously if i had 2m to splurge, i rather buy a real supercar. Or just wait for xiaomi su 7. Will run around this junk.
Why does a RM2mil ‘ultra high performance GT’ car sits on PS4s tyres
It’s not uncommon to see such a spec. Even Aston Martin doing it too with the DB12 and Vanquish.
wtf 260z with skyline rear
Want to ask…whose engine it use?
This Dino is a joke.
Aah…Bufori one of the goodies bag attached with condition for hosting Commonwealth Games ’98. The other goodies was Lotus and etc. hihi
Malaysia made?? RM 2 MILLION plus ‘made in Malaysia’ price?? Better go for exotic Italian marque.
ASEAN NCAP tested? VTA approved?
The exterior design is meh. The least they can do is to hire the many local car designers to do the exterior, if not commission someone like zagato, ghia or such to do it
Ask Jeremy Clarkson to review it please.
Aiyoyo, shaking my head reading the comments…
most people here judge the car “on screen” only haiyaa…looks can be subjective, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, even every other brand has their own “style” can’t blame them for that, even the Utopia is provocative, and not many can appreciate, but all those changes once a person experience the car upclose.
I personally like the car (even if I couldn’t afford one), because it gave the TVR Chimaera vibe., low solid body, huge powerful engine, rear wheel drive, nice overhangs.
And for some who compared with Xiaomi, Yangwang, YingYang, Wanker, must be delusional, totally different target market, different segment.
Tak suka takpa, tak perlu hina-hina dan compare sama Italian supercar, very funny to compare price wise in this category, wealthy passionate people by them regardless.
Bufori should have gone the Mitsuoka route, and focused on design. instead of kit car making.