10.11.2007 – Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has unveiled the hottest HSV Maloo R8 Ute ever as part of its 20th birthday celebrations at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney today.

Part of the HSV line-up for more than ten years, the Maloo (an aboriginal word for thunder or storm) takes the concept of the sports utility to the next level, with a range of ‘unique-to-HSV’ features including;

-Distinct sheet moulded compound (SMC) rear tailgate,
-307kW LS2 V8 engine,
-AP Racing four piston brake package,
-Group A Walkinshaw inspired side skirt,
-New glore suede HSV ‘performance’ seats,
-Remote release hard tonneau with release button on main key,
-Reverse parking sensors and
-A ‘performance pack’ option consisting of full leather ‘performance’ seats and 20 inch wheels.

Managing Director of HSV, Mr Scott Grant, said the Maloo R8 Ute had redefined the Australian Ute market. ”Our team have done an outstanding job on producing a Maloo Ute like no other,” Scott Grant said.

”Maloos striking visual appearance, performance characteristics and range of luxury appointments will make this Ute just as comfortable and distinctive on a dirt track out the ‘back of Bourke’ or cruising around the inner city streets of Sydney, Melbourne or any number of provincial cities across Australia where the Maloo nameplate has taken the iconic Ute to the next level.”

Chief Engineer John Clark said the HSV Maloo R8 truly was a ‘coupe with a damn big boot! ”We began working on the all new Maloo Ute at about the same stage as the E series sedan, with the aim of building on the dynamics of the sedan,” John Clark said.

”This Ute is HSV’s most responsive ever and the comprehensive testing program we undertook around Australia and in New Zealand and Sweden, has resulted in the complete driving package.”

The HSV Maloo R8 will make a dramatic visual impact on the road with its sleek sail plane and tough curves. Design Manager Julian Quincey and his team spent over two years working toward the end result.

”The HSV product group continually pushed the design of our E Series Maloo Ute to the limits and I am extremely pleased with the end result. It really does look like a show car for the road and it must rate as the sportiest production Ute the world has ever seen,” Julian Quincey said.

”As an English born and bred designer it is an honour to work on such an ‘Aussie icon’ as the HSV Maloo and I believe the end result reflects my team’s passion for the product.”

The Maloo R8 will retail from $59,990 AUD. Options include automatic transmission for an extra $2,000 and a ‘performance pack’ which consists of 20 inch wheels and GTS inspired performance seats. This pack will retail for an additional $3,750.

The HSV Maloo R8 is on sale at HSV Dealerships across Australia.

Story by HSV