Sydney show: Bufori beauty returns to Sydney

THE Australian International Motor Show in Sydney today saw the return of a familiar face with the launch of the Bufori brand, not seen here since 1995.

A retro-styled 2+2 coupe, the Mark III La Joya is a far more sophisticated, luxurious and expensive model than its antecedents.

Bufori began life in 1986 as a hand-built special made by brothers Anthony, George and Gerry Khouri.

Production moved to Malaysia in 1988, although the company remains Australian-owned. With a mid-mounted 2.7-litre DOHC V6 developing 140kW, the La Joya will sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds.

The body is constructed of carbon-fibre and Kevlar materials, and a monocoque spaceframe double wishbone chassis sits underneath.

ABS brakes with EBD, adjustable dampers, driver’s airbag, seatbelt pretensioners and a tyre pressure monitoring system are standard.

“We believe they stand in comparison with the finest marques in the world,” said Bufori Australia’s marketing manager Cameron Pollard. The cabin of the La Joya (which is Spanish for “The Jewel”) is opulent.

Carpets are Persian silk and the dash is laid thick with French polished walnut and 24-karat gold-plated instrumentation.

A special show price of $180,000 was announced this morning for the initial shipment of 20 cars, with Mr Pollard saying that a price rise of around $40,000 was likely for following shipments.