Premature exasperation: Holden haulers arrive early
Holden and HSV's latest have been unveiled earlier than plannedHolden's VE wagon and HSV's Maloo super-ute have been outed ahead of their respective debuts at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week. And while neither the Special Vehicles crew nor Holden will comment on the vehicles -- nor even the images published this week -- the facts are now in the open for all to see.
Maloo and the VE wagon arrive next week, unaltered from the pre-release marketing images leaked at the LS1.com.au site and published by the Carsales Network in August (more here).
Featuring Euro 'Touring' or 'Avant' style lines, the VE wagon is a far cry from the load hauling Commodore wagons of previous generations. However the biggest transformation from hauler to hotrod has been reserved for HSV's Maloo.
Like its sedan counterparts, the HSV Maloo is the most differentiated ute model yet produced by the go-fast arm. As well as an all-new remote-locking hard tonneau, there's a unique three-piece composite tailgate with Maloo-specific taillight treatment and cabin 'sailplane'. The full width lower valance/diffuser is also unique to the Maloo.
The Maloo uses the same running gear as the Clubsport R8 but gets a recalibrated optional auto transmission (with sport mode and throttle-blipping downchanges!) as well as bespoke suspension and stability control settings.
The Clubbie's four-piston AP Racing brakes and 307kw/550Nm 6.0-litre V8 are reportedly unchanged in their new coupe-with-a-big-boot home. Features like rear park sensors are a first for a ute, however. A full-size spare wheel is retained, while the cabin gets unique a cloth/alcantara combination and the requisite Maloo badging.
Optional 20-inch wheels are offered, though the 'stocker' rolls on 19-inch wheels.
The price of the Maloo has dropped from its VZ predecessor. The six-speed manual version is priced from $59,990 with the auto upgrade adding $2000. An optional Performance Pack will also be offered. Priced at $3750 it includes 20-inch alloys and a leather upgrade for the cabin.
Look out for more details on the Maloo and VE Commodore wagon as part of our coverage of the Australian International Motor Show next week.
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