HSV celebrates 20 years of thunder

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) will celebrate the 20 years of thunder with a limited edition anniversary model of its Maloo R8 ute.

The first Maloo was revealed at the Sydney Motor Show in October 1990, and is claimed by HSV to be the only V8-powered sports ute available on the Australian market at the time.

Powered by a 180kW/400Nm 5.0-litre V8, the first VG-Series HSV Maloo was a standout blend of hard working utility with performance car street cred, paving the way for a raft of models to come, each upping the ante with more power, better handling and aggressive new looks.

A decade later, Maloo again hit the headlines when it received the famous Corvette LS1 5.7-litre V8 producing 255kW/475Nm, and just six years later (in 2006), landed itself in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "world's fastest production pick-up/utility" when V8 Supercar driver Mark Skaife piloted the Aussie icon to a top speed of 271.44km/h.

Strictly limited to just 100 examples, the 20 years of Maloo R8 scores unique exterior equipment, including matte black 'Vector E' vents on the front guards and bonnet, 20-inch GTS alloy wheels, bi-modal exhaust system and new hero colours, including 'Hazard' yellow.

Power comes from a revised 6.2-litre LS3 V8 developing 317kW/550Nm.

Inside, special leather upholstery, bi-modal exhaust system, Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA), satellite navigation, Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI), rear window decal and a numbered build plate.

The 20 years of Maloo R8 joins HSV's new E3-Series for a limited time, and is available now for $67,600 (six-speed manual) and $69,600 (six-speed automatic).

HSV Maloo timeline:

1990 VG Maloo
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Output: 180kW/400Nm
Production: 132 vehicles

1992 VP Maloo
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Output: 180kW/400Nm
Production: 49 vehicles

1993 VR Maloo
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Output: 185kW/400Nm
Production: 156 vehicles

1995 VS Maloo
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Output: 185kW/400Nm
Production: 173 vehicles

1996 VSII Maloo
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Output: 185kW/400Nm
Production: 668 vehicles

2000 VU Maloo & Maloo R8
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Output: 255kW/475Nm
Production: 301 vehicles

2001 VUII Maloo & Maloo R8
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Output: 255kW/475Nm
Production: 483 vehicles

2002 VY Maloo & Maloo R8
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Output: 260kW/475Nm
Production: 499 vehicles

2003 VYII Maloo & Maloo R8
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Output: 285kW/510Nm
Production: 673 vehicles

2004 VZ & VZII Maloo & Maloo R8
Engine: 6.0-litre V8
Output: 297kW/530Nm
Production: 1995 units

2007 VE & VEII Maloo R8
Engine: 6.0-litre V8, then 6.2-litre V8
Output: 307kW/550Nm, then 317kW/550Nm
Production: 1795 vehicles

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