Bufori CS8 Malaysian Review - 810hp V8 from RM2.19m

Bufori CS8: Malaysia's RM2.19 Million Homegrown Ultra-High-Performance GT

The Bufori CS8 is a Malaysian-made, ultra-high-performance grand tourer (GT) produced by Bufori, a bespoke sports car manufacturer based in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. It is a long, low, two-seat sports car featuring a supercharged 6.4-litre V8 engine producing 810 hp, with a carbon Kevlar monocoque chassis woven in-house. Priced at RM2,188,000 on-the-road without insurance, it competes directly with international GTs like the Aston Martin Vantage while being almost entirely manufactured in Malaysia using local components, including the wiring harness, computers, PCB chips, and software.

Despite being classified as a foreign carmaker and paying full import and excise duties—even though its cars never cross a border—Bufori positions the CS8 as Malaysia's only true homegrown sports car. The vehicle targets affluent Malaysian enthusiasts seeking a distinctive, hand-built alternative to mainstream European supercars, with first deliveries scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.

Key Facts

What Makes the Bufori CS8 a World-Class Sports Car?

The Bufori CS8 achieves world-class status through a combination of extreme power-to-weight ratio and locally sourced engineering. With 810 hp propelling a target weight of just 1,450 kg, the CS8 delivers a 0–100 km/h time of three seconds flat and a top speed of 330 km/h—figures that place it in the same performance bracket as established global supercars.

The engine is not a standard crate unit; it has been blueprinted and fitted with forged internals, increasing displacement from 6.2 to 6.4 litres. This contrasts sharply with the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, which weighed over two tonnes despite using a similar engine family. The CS8's carbon Kevlar monocoque, woven in-house at the Kepong facility, is central to its lightweight construction.

The Bufori CS8 produces 810 hp and 975 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0–100 km/h in 3.0 seconds to a top speed of 330 km/h.

How Much Does the Bufori CS8 Cost in Malaysia?

The Bufori CS8 is priced at RM2,188,000 on-the-road without insurance in Malaysia. This price point places it in direct competition with the Aston Martin Vantage, which is priced at RM2.37 million. The high cost is attributed to import and excise duties that Bufori must pay despite manufacturing the cars entirely in Malaysia.

Bufori is classified as a foreign carmaker by Malaysian authorities, requiring the company to pay full import and excise duties even though its vehicles never cross a sea or land border. This classification significantly inflates the final price, a situation the source material describes as "a downright crime." The RM13,000 Snap-On tool kit is included as standard equipment with every Bufori.

At RM2,188,000, the Bufori CS8 undercuts the Aston Martin Vantage (RM2.37 million) while offering 810 hp from a Malaysian-built carbon Kevlar monocoque.

Is the Bufori CS8 Truly Made in Malaysia?

Yes, the Bufori CS8 is almost entirely made in Malaysia using local components. This includes the carbon Kevlar monocoque that is woven in-house at the Kepong facility, as well as the wiring harness, computers, PCB chips, and software. The car is assembled in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, making it Malaysia's only true homegrown sports car.

The local manufacturing extends beyond assembly to include advanced composite work and electronic systems development. Despite this domestic production, Bufori is legally classified as a foreign carmaker and must pay full import and excise duties, which the source material criticises as unfair given the cars never cross a border. This duty structure is a primary reason for the CS8's RM2.19 million price tag.

The Bufori CS8's carbon Kevlar monocoque, wiring harness, computers, PCB chips, and software are all manufactured in Malaysia at the Kepong facility.

What Engine Powers the Bufori CS8?

The Bufori CS8 uses a supercharged Hemi V8 derived from Dodge's old Hellcat models, but it is not a standard crate engine. The engine has been blueprinted and fitted with forged internals, resulting in a displacement increase from 6.2 to 6.4 litres. Power output is rated at 810 hp with 975 Nm of torque.

The engine drives the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain combination delivers monumental performance, with the CS8 reaching 100 km/h in three seconds flat and achieving a top speed of 330 km/h. The engine's output of 750 wheel horsepower indicates efficient power delivery through the drivetrain.

The CS8's blueprinted 6.4-litre supercharged V8 produces 810 hp and 975 Nm, driving the rear wheels through a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox.

How Does the Bufori CS8 Compare to the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat?

The Bufori CS8 significantly outperforms the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat in power-to-weight ratio. While the Hellcat weighed over two tonnes, the CS8 targets just 1,450 kg—about the same as a base Porsche 718 Cayman. This weight advantage, combined with the increased displacement and blueprinting, gives the CS8 superior acceleration and handling characteristics.

The comparison is particularly relevant because both cars use the same Hemi V8 engine family. However, the CS8's engine has been modified with forged internals and increased displacement from 6.2 to 6.4 litres, while the Hellcat used the standard 6.2-litre configuration. The CS8's carbon Kevlar monocoque construction is fundamentally different from the Hellcat's steel unibody, contributing to the substantial weight difference.

Weighing 1,450 kg versus the Hellcat's two-tonne mass, the CS8 achieves its 810 hp output with a power-to-weight ratio that the Dodge muscle car cannot match.

Who Is the Bufori CS8 For in Malaysia?

The Bufori CS8 is designed for affluent Malaysian car collectors and enthusiasts who value exclusivity, hand-built craftsmanship, and domestic manufacturing pride. With a price of RM2,188,000, it targets buyers who would otherwise consider imported European GTs like the Aston Martin Vantage, offering a unique value proposition as a locally produced alternative with comparable or superior performance.

The car's bespoke nature means each unit is highly individual, appealing to owners who want a vehicle that reflects personal taste rather than mass-produced conformity. The hand-built cabin lined in leather and the trademark Snap-On tool kit (worth RM13,000) reinforce the luxury positioning. For Malaysian buyers, the CS8 offers the distinction of owning a genuine Malaysian-made supercar that competes on the world stage, though the import duty classification means they pay a premium despite domestic production.

The Bufori CS8 targets Malaysian collectors seeking a hand-built, locally manufactured alternative to imported GTs, offering 810 hp and bespoke craftsmanship at RM2,188,000.

Common Questions

Why does the Bufori CS8 cost RM2.19 million if it is made in Malaysia?

Bufori is classified as a foreign carmaker by Malaysian authorities, requiring the company to pay full import and excise duties even though its cars are manufactured entirely in Kepong and never cross a border. These duties significantly inflate the final price, which the source material describes as "a downright crime."

When will the first Bufori CS8 deliveries occur in Malaysia?

First deliveries of the Bufori CS8 are scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The review vehicle was a demonstration prototype undergoing final development, with minor interior changes expected to freshen the look and tweak the displays before production units are delivered to customers.

What is the Bufori CS8's 0–100 km/h time and top speed?

The Bufori CS8 accelerates from 0–100 km/h in three seconds flat and reaches a top speed of 330 km/h. This performance is achieved through 810 hp and 975 Nm of torque from a blueprinted 6.4-litre supercharged V8, pushing a target weight of just 1,450 kg.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the original review published by Paul Tan's Automotive News on 1 September 2026, titled "Bufori CS8 Malaysian review – 810 hp V8, from RM2.19 million; has Kepong built a world-class sports car?" The source material includes a first-drive assessment by Hafriz Shah of a demonstration prototype.

All prices are quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (RM) as provided in the source. The RM2,188,000 price is on-the-road without insurance. Performance figures (810 hp, 975 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 3.0 seconds, 330 km/h top speed) are manufacturer-stated targets for the production model. The comparison with the Aston Martin Vantage at RM2.37 million is drawn directly from the source material.

This article was last updated on 17 August 2026. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Paul Tan's Automotive News review of the Bufori CS8.