WHEEL
ESTATE BY PETER BARNWELL
MALOO R8 UTE
Holden Special Vehicles’ (HSV) new Maloo
R8 ute is on the loose and heading for HSV
dealers. A preview at the recent Sydney
motor show whet our appetites so the wait
wasn’t long.
Maloo has been a big part of the HSV
line-up for more than a decade and the
new model takes the original concept of the
sports utility to another level.
It benefits from a grab bag of HSV goodies
like a special sheet moulded compound
(SMC) rear tailgate, 307k W, LS2, V8 engine,
AP Racing four piston brake package, Group
A Walkinshaw inspired side skirt, leather
and 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.
It looks a million bucks from all angles and
should have current Maloo owners racing to
their dealers.
An HSV spokesman reckons the company
has done an outstanding job on producing a
Maloo Ute like no other.
We wouldn’t argue.
``It has a dramatic visual appearance,
stunning performance characteristics and
range of luxury appointments to set it apart
from anything else on the market,” he said.
Because of the body structure, the Maloo
could almost be considered a coupe with a
long boot.
``This car looks like a showcar for the road
and it must rate as the sportiest production
ute the world has ever seen.”
The Maloo R8 will retail from $59,990 (m).
Automatic adds $2,000 and a performance
pack which consists of 20 inch wheels
and GTS inspired performance seats adds
$3,750.
For further information visit
www.holden.com.au
