Bufori La Joya

The Bufori La Joya is a two-seater retro-styled coupe launched in 2004 by Australian bespoke luxury car manufacturer Bufori. The La Joya is the marque's first two-door coupe and the first to be engineered to international specifications, meeting stringent European type-approval standards. Bufori was established in Australia in 1986 by the three Khouri brothers, before relocating its manufacturing operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998. The moniker "La Joya" is derived from Spanish, meaning "the jewel". The car made its world debut at the 2003 New York International Auto Show, and officially entered the Chinese market in 2011 through Ningbo Jiachen Group. Production of the La Joya ran from 2004 to 2018.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the La Joya draws inspiration from classic American automobiles of the 1920s and 1930s Golden Era. The front fascia features a split chrome grille with an elevated centre section, flanked by fender-mounted circular headlamps, with bumper-integrated fog lamps and indicators sitting below. The bonnet employs a dual-wing opening mechanism reminiscent of Belle Époque-era motorcars, paired with functional louvres for engine cooling. In profile, the car boasts sweeping, elegant lines, with prominent flared front and rear wings that flow rearwards to carve out a classic sports coupe silhouette. The roofline tapers steeply towards the rear, incorporating triangular quarter windows at the C-pillars to enhance outward visibility. The rear adopts a fastback profile. Under the skin, the body shell is constructed from carbon fibre and Kevlar composites, offering high structural rigidity with lightweight characteristics. Its exterior dimensions measure 4,330 mm in length, 1,807 mm in width, and 1,365 mm in height, riding on a 2,800 mm wheelbase. Extensive bespoke personalisation is available, including exclusive paint options such as mother-of-pearl. The cabin harmoniously marries vintage aesthetics with modern touches, headlined by a twin-cowl dashboard finished in genuine wood veneer.

Powertrain Performance

The La Joya is driven by a 2.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine mounted in a front-midship layout—positioned behind the front axle. The powerplant pushes out 170–172 hp (approx. 126.9 kW) at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 245 Nm at 4,000 rpm. Transmission choices comprise a 4-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual gearbox. Drive is sent exclusively to the rear wheels. The 0–100 km/h century sprint takes roughly 6.7 to 7.8 seconds. It features an 80-litre fuel tank, with an average combined fuel consumption of around 9.1 L/100 km. In addition, Bufori offered a larger 3.6-litre variant along with an optional supercharger kit.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the La Joya is underpinned by front and rear double-wishbone independent suspension paired with adjustable dampers. This motorsport-derived setup delivers superior handling stability along with communicative road feel. Stopping power is handled by front and rear ventilated disc brakes, backed by an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Steering is managed via an electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion setup. The car has a kerb weight of approximately 1,490 kg. Benefiting from the balanced weight distribution of its front-mid engine configuration, the La Joya delivers composed and agile handling through the corners.

Cabin and Features

The cabin of the La Joya focuses on artisanal coachbuilt luxury, generously appointed with premium leather upholstery and handcrafted solid wood trims such as walnut. The instrument cluster is detailed with 24K gold-plated bezels, accentuating its bespoke opulence. The front seats feature multi-way power adjustment and heating functions. The centre console is equipped with climate controls, a CD/DVD audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, and GPS satellite navigation. Other comfort and convenience appointments include cruise control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

In terms of safety, the La Joya is fitted with modern active and passive safety equipment. Passive safety features comprise a driver airbag, alongside seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. Active safety kit includes ABS, EBD, and Traction Control System (TCS). Vehicle security is provided by an engine immobiliser and remote central locking. The engine meets Euro 4 emission standards.

Market Performance and Reception

Following its 2004 launch, the La Joya quickly established itself as Bufori's flagship and top-selling model. In October 2011, Bufori made its official debut in China at the Top Marques luxury lifestyle exhibition in Shanghai, where actress Liu Xiaoqing and Bufori Managing Director Gerry Khouri jointly unveiled the car. In 2012, the base price of the La Joya in China started at RM2,880,000; bespoke 3.6L iterations were estimated to start upwards of RM3,000,000, with a build-to-order waiting period exceeding six months. However, Bufori’s venture in the Chinese market was brief, concluding with its exit in 2013. As a fully hand-crafted ultra-luxury retro grand tourer, each La Joya required between 5,000 and 7,000 man-hours to assemble. With its timeless vintage styling, bespoke coachbuilding, and rarity, the Bufori La Joya occupies a distinct niche in the global ultra-luxury automotive landscape.