HSV Maloo R8 2013 Review

While not inventing the brute ute, HSV has definitely been a pioneer of the two-door sedan-based variant often dubbed ‘Australia’s sports car’, first introducing its hot-shoe Maloo in 1990.

Back then the sporty load hauler created headlines with its 180kW/400Nm 5.0-litre V8 and 7.0sec 0-100km/h sprint times. But it’s a far cry from today’s top-spec Maloo R8 ‘SV’, which boasts a 340kW/570Nm 6.2-litre V8 and estimated sub-5.0sec sprint.

Introduced as part of the new, improved GEN-F HSV range in June, the Maloo now starts at $58,990 for the 317kW/550Nm LS3 V8 version with six-speed manual transmission, rising to $68,290 for the 325kW/550Nm R8 Maloo.

Our test ute with ‘SV Enhanced’ package and six-speed auto, lifts output by another 15kW and 20Nm and price to $75,285 (plus on-roads). That’s a lot of dough for a ute, albeit one with many of the driver assistance aids and techno-trickery introduced with the latest VF Commodore. But at a time when ‘blinged up’ dual-cab ‘lifestyle’ utes from the likes of Volkswagen, Nissan and Mazda easily exceed $60K, the hefty ask shouldn’t deter HSV die-hards.

Previous incarnations of the Maloo sported a huge, Nascar-style rear wing, but the full-fruit GEN-F Maloo’s exterior styling is altogether more restrained, albeit still purposeful with low-line front spoiler and side skirts, unique rear bumper with four chrome pipes, 'pitch black' accents and 'satin graphite' 20 inch forged alloy wheels.

In fact, our ‘Sting’ red test car got more than the usual share of admiring glances from the neighbours (all blokes of course), as well as colourful compliments we can’t repeat here!

Despite its ‘commercial’ origins you’re unlikely to find too many Maloos around worksites, and the low-hanging R8 body kit makes gutters, speed bumps and kerbs a constant threat. The independent multi-link suspension set-up also limits payload capacity to around half a tonne, although the rear tray’s full black plastic tub liner and tie-down hooks add to practicality.

The ‘sail plane’ hard tonneau cover, despite attempts to streamline it, still blocks vision through the rear view mirror, so the front and rear parking sensors as well as a rear camera on the R8, makes reversing less of a hit-and-miss affair.

The thick, view-obstructing A- and B-pillars, make other driving aids like blind spot assist a life-saver when changing lanes on busy freeways.
The remote-controlled tonneau lock, also failed to work after a couple of days, meaning anyone could open the gas strut-assisted lid when parked.

Nestled in the dark, snug cabin, there are plenty of HSV highlights to admire including leather-trimmed, HSV-embossed seats (and dash), along with carbon fibre, suede and chrome highlights. The flat bottomed, leather-clad steering wheel and four-way electrically-adjustable driver’s seat with massive side bolsters also immediately puts the driver in a sporty frame of mind.

Like other HSVs the latest Maloo benefits from the same interior overhaul as the VF Commodore, while moving the two gauges from dash top to lower in the centre stack adds to the integrated feel. Limited storage is available behind the seats, including pockets and nets in the rear firewall.

Not surprisingly, the 340kW/570Nm Maloo R8 ‘SV’ delivers strong, linear acceleration, getting the power down nicely while propelling the 1800kg (unladen) ute along in a manner that suggests easy, five-second sprint times.

Slightly noisy but sticky Continental ContiSport tyres (255/35 R20 front and 275/35 R20 rear) provide confidence-inspiring grip in wet and dry conditions, although some controllable, tail-out action even when pottering around the back streets is always a quick dab of the right pedal away.

The stiffly-sprung setup delivers a generally well-controlled and comfy ride, helped by the padded seats, but bigger bumps can cause some rear end bounce with no load out back to settle it down.

No complaints about the steering or brakes, which deliver excellent feel and response, but the soaring V8 soundtrack  (enhanced by bi-modal exhaust) was too restrained for our liking, at anything less than full attack.

As well as improved refinement, the Maloo R8 benefits from other VF Commodore updates including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Head Up Display, along with rain-sensing wipers, electric park brake, automated parking system and an eight-inch colour touch-screen with MyLink music streaming and smartphone integration.

There’s also a Driver Performance Dial with Touring, Sport, and Performance modes to alter the driving dynamics.

But keen drivers will lament the lack of paddle shifters for the six-speed auto, which otherwise shifts surely and smoothly when not rushed. Not surprisingly for an ‘old school’ pushrod V8 displacing 378 cubic inches, the Maloo recorded a thirsty 15.5L/100km during our week together.

But the Maloo is wasted on the daily commute, and needs track time to do it any justice, which is obviously what the HSV boffins were thinking when designing the R8-only (Enhanced Driver Interface) EDI system.

Accessed via the MyLink infotainment system, it’s similar to the SRT Performance screen on Chrysler’s SRT8, monitoring around 20 performance criteria from G forces to brake and acceleration percentages to lap times.

HSV has gone so far as to map 17 Australian tracks from Barbagallo to Bathurst so you can download and compare lap times on the GPS system with your Maloo-driving mates.

Playing around with this race car-like telemetry system in the ‘burbs is fun albeit a bit distracting, but on a circuit it would add to the thrill of owning not just the most powerful but arguably the most desirable muscle ute available in Australia.

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