HSV Maloo R8 SV Black 2016 Review

HSV Maloo R8 SV Black
Road Test

All good things must come to an end, and what better way to celebrate the demise of its LS3-powered range than for HSV to release a trio of special-editions? Here, we test the first of the threesome: the Maloo R8 SV Black. With its 6.2-litre normally-aspirated V8 and a good slathering of dark-themed options, the hard-charging ute is priced from $62,990 (plus ORCs) in six-speed manual guise, mid-way between its SS V-Series Redline donor vehicle and the fire-breathing LSA-powered flagship. With all the styling cues of the latter, the SV Black looks and sounds the goods, and we reckon is a pretty sweet drive to boot.

As Holden – and by extension HSV – prepares to terminate local production of its Commodore range, we slip behind the wheel of what is likely the first in a series of run-out models due in dealerships between now and the end of next year.

In this instance it’s the Holden ute-based Maloo R8 SV Black, one of three models HSV will release in the coming months to mark the end of its LS3-powered range.

The short reason behind the cessation of naturally-aspirated HSV power is the LS3’s failure to meet tightening emission regulations; from November 2016, Euro 4-compliant mills like the LS3 are no longer allowed to be sold Down Under as stricter Euro 5 rules come into play.

A closer look at the Maloo R8 SV Black reveals the front mask from HSV’s LSA-powered fleet (think GTS), 20-inch satin black alloys, HSV Performance body design, black accenting and body stripe and shadow chrome exhaust outlets.

A hard tonneau and sail planes are added in traditional Maloo R8 style, while HSV Performance suspension, a bi-modal exhaust system and four-piston AP Racing forged callipers in gloss black complete the package.

Inside, the SV Black adds driver-preference instruments, sat-nav, a reversing camera, dual-zone climate-control, a six-speaker BOSE audio system and sports bucket seats (lifted from the SS Commodore line-up).

The Maloo R8 SV Black is identified by a plaque behind the gearshift and limited in quantity to just 102 (with two more allocated to our friends across the ditch).

That equipment list seems generous initially, but on closer inspection lacks in one critical area. Sure, the dual-zone climate, auto headlights and mirrors, head-up display, forward collision warning, lane-keeping technology and blind-spot monitoring are worthwhile, but not including heated wing mirrors on a vehicle so perilously difficult to see out of is an oversight.

The combination of mechanically-adjustable seats with electric lumbar support but no seat heaters is also difficult to understand.

We also didn’t find the Maloo R8 SV Black as acoustically endearing as the SS V-Series Redline, which can be had in ute form from $50,990. The exhaust sounds great when you’re up it, sure. But at urban speeds lacks that talkative, characterful V8 burble we so loved in the donor car.

We also noticed a strange wind ‘pulsing’ noise from the passenger-side glass, and a propensity for pooling water on the driver-side B-pillar to create a gurgling noise, even in light rain.

But the good news is that HSV’s last atmo V8 ute is a shedload of fun to drive. That 6.2-litre eight is immensely flexible, its accessible torque allowing easy around-town dawdling and effortless runs to redline.

The full complement of 340kW might come higher in the piece (6000rpm), but delivery isn’t peaky. Using the mass of torque (570Nm at 4600rpm) allows insistent acceleration from just about any road speed, a point we demonstrated by accelerating all the way from 30 to 160km/h in third gear!

The power on offer mightn’t be as instant as it is in HSV’s supercharged LSA range, but it’s by no means slow. Keep the LS3 in its sweet spot and the reward is colossal, the Maloo quickly reaching loss-of-licence speeds and its thirst for each new ratio – and that exhaust – encouraging you to keep the right foot pressed deep into the firewall.

Like all GEN-F2 HSVs, the Maloo R8 SV Black’s gearshift, pedal box and steering is ‘meaty’, though we wouldn’t say ‘heavy’. It’s a match that feels right for the muscular nature of this ground-pounding final edition, yet strangely also lighter than the supercharged ClubSport R8 LSA we recently sampled at our Australia’s Best Driver’s Car awards in Tasmania. Perhaps the newness of the test car played a part here (there was only 660km on the clock when we picked it up).

It’s often assumed utes like the Maloo R8 SV Black are tail-happy beasts ready to throw you at the nearest telegraph pole at a moment’s notice. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In wet and dry conditions, despite our best efforts to break traction the HSV’s electronic nannies held us true to the track directed by the steering wheel without trying too hard, and dialling the Driver Mode to ‘Performance’ allowed controlled power slides with just the right amount of attitude.

Driven as intended the Maloo actually hangs on very well. It lets you know the moment you’re about to break traction, and then changes direction surprisingly well considering its 1800kg-odd bulk.

The electrically-assisted steering presents only some of the loose on-centre feel we’ve come to expect from the exaggerated camber and track of HSV’s GEN-F2 range, but sampled back-to-back with the ClubSport R8 SV Black (come back for a separate review soon) this was not nearly as pronounced.

The Maloo’s AP Racing brakes proved not only vastly capable, but surprisingly easy to modulate. Aggressive brake packages can at times offer a switch where you need a pedal, but the SV Black showed all the finesse of a limousine, achieving soft stops as easily as any family sedan – and in fact a whole lot better than some that come to mind.

It’s one of those traits that, like the rest of the HSV line-up, shows the maturity of the engineering underneath. This really is a world-class product with the stats and machismo to prove it.

Excusing its small quibbles, this is Australia's atmo V8 sports ute at its finest – and it’s that finality that’s the biggest shame of all.

2016 HSV Maloo R8 SV Black pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.2-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 340kW/570Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 12.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 300g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Ford XR6 Turbo Ute (from $38,710 plus ORCs)
>> Holden SS V-Series Redline Ute (from $50,990 plus ORCs)
>> HSV Maloo R8 LSA (from $76,990 plus ORCs)