2007 HSV Maloo Reviews

It might have been born to work, but the humble Aussie ute has evolved into a much more sophisticated car that is now used more for recreational pursuits than it is for slogging it out on the job site.  Vehicles like the HSV Maloo are the ultimate expression of this new-age ute possessing a level of performance, safety and refinement never imagined by the original ute's creators in their wildest dreams.Gone are the days when utes were uncomfortable, evil handling and sometimes downright dangerous; today's utes do everything just as well as their sedan siblings.  They're so good, in fact, that Holden even describes its Ute as a two- door sports car. If that were true the HSV Maloo would have an even greater claim to that moniker.Model WatchWhile the ute began life as a humble working class vehicle it has over the years become something of a cult car with true-blue Aussies of all ages.  It's no longer just a working class vehicle; all sorts of people use it in all manner of activities.Holden and Ford long ago recognised the trend to the ute as a recreational vehicle and have both moved to satisfy the demand with a series of stylish sports models aimed more at out-of-hours pursuits than those on the job site.  To put this into some sort of perspective Holden said when releasing the VE ute that some 70 per cent of all VE Holden utes sold were the sportier models, the SS and SV6.It's a reality that today's ute is more likely to carry sports or camping gear than it is bricks, timber and tools.  If the Holden ute set the bar for sports utes higher, the HSV Maloo took the concept to an even loftier performance plain again.Like all HSV models the Maloo builds on the Holden ute with a unique set of body front and rear parts, along with a unique hard tonneau cover, that give it its own distinct muscular look without cutting into the basic Holden body structure.It's a craft HSV has perfected over more than 20 years of building hotter Holdens and the result is that the Maloo looks as tough as nails.  Matching the muscular look is the Maloo's musclebound 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine that turns out a whopping 307 kW at 6000 revs and 550 Nm at 5100 revs.Two rugged gearboxes are offered to Maloo buyers. One is a six-manual 'box, the other a six-speed auto that channels the V8's muscle to the rear wheels.  With all that grunt under the bonnet HSV was wise to ensure the chassis was up to the task of handling it, and with independent suspension front and rear, sports shocks, monster brakes, and huge 19- inch wheels and tyres, it is more than capable to taming the beast.But while the Maloo has the credentials needed for a place on the performance car grid it doesn't lack anything in refinement either.  Inside the cabin the driver and passenger have leather sports seats, steering wheel, and dials, and well as a full array of features like air, cruise, power windows and mirrors, automatic wipers, as well as rear parking sensors to ensure those special bumpers don't get scratched.In The ShopGenerally the Maloo is a tough and reliable unit, the issues it can have are the same that an equivalent Holden ute might also have.  The LS2 V8 engine appears to give little trouble, same goes for the transmissions and diff.Look for signs of abuse, the Maloo will stand up to hard driving, but like all cars won't cope well with abusive driving.  Check for a service record to ensure oil changes have been carried out as recommended.In A CrashThe E Series Maloo is fitted with a comprehensive array of safety gear, including dual front airbags, electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, traction control, and brake assist with brake-force distribution.At The PumpThe E Series Maloo is no fuel miser and the fuel consumption achieved is heavily dependent on the weight of the driver's right foot.  HSV claimed an average fuel consumption of 14.9 L/100 km.Anyone put off by the Maloo's high fuel consumption might want to think about fitting a dual-fuel vapour-injection system, which has the potential to almost halve the running costs based on the current pricing of unleaded and LPG.  Vapour-injection systems are configured to use unleaded petrol to the start the engine and for the first few seconds of warm-up before automatically switching over to gas.That way they start quickly and run smoothly while the engine comes up to its running temperature.  Once it has switched over to LPG gas is used almost exclusively, and the system only switches back to unleaded if the demand for fuel exceeds the LPG system's capacity to supply. That means there is no loss of performance.A dual-fuel Maloo will run just as hard as one running on petrol, but the running cost will be much lower. Look ForHead-turning looksBlistering performanceCar-like handlingLimited load carrying capacityThirsty for fuelGood candidate for LPGThe Bottom LineHSV's hot ute looks the goods, goes hard, and doesn't have to be expensive to run.Rating80/100

The queue for a new Maloo is out to May. The five-month wait reflects the instant success of Holden Special Vehicles' new load carrier.Not that anyone who buys a Maloo R8 is likely to be carrying much beyond their toys and a big, big smile.It is all about sports truck performance and enjoyment, with a 307kW V8 engine and the sort of brakes and suspension you expect to find on a top-drawer car.Holden has been pushing the two-door sportscar line for the ute since it unveiled the VE earlier this year and its sales figures reflect the popularity of the new pickup.More than 60 per cent of utes going out the door at Holden dealerships are V8-powered SS models, and when you add the hottie SV6 the figure rises to more than 70 per cent.So you are unlikely to see any bricks, barrows, glass or plumbing pipes in the back of a HSV ute.But you are also unlikely to see a Maloo because demand for regular utes has choked supplies from GM Holden's factory in Elizabeth to the HSV production line at Clayton.Things should ease sometime next year, but the waiting time is unlikely to shrink to anything less than three months.The Maloo goes all the way for Holden and, like other E-Series Commodore models, it is further away from the regular ute than previous models.The tail-end treatment is unique — even if some of the lamps look stuck-on — the nose is all new, the cabin is more upmarket and even the lift-up load cover has unique HSV power bulges and a different but not as effective locking system.The result is a ute that turns heads with a supercar-style 0-100km/h sprint time, and a relative bargain at $59,990.It costs more than the turbo six from Ford Performance Vehicles and is above the basic 5.4 V8 ute, but matches the Super Pursuit on the bottom line.The HSV machine gets its edge with a full 6.0-litre LS2 V8 that does big kilowatt numbers but, more importantly, makes 550Nm.It is a little hidden up beyond 4000 revs, but dominates the character for the car.HSV is doing plenty of Maloos with the six-speed automatic gearbox, a surprising but effective choice, and the rest of the package includes monster brakes with 365 millimetre discs on the nose, electronic stability control, fully independent suspension, giant wheels and tyres and the same red-lit instrument cluster used in HSV's R8 and GTS sedans.The seats and wheel in the cabin are the same, with smooth leather trimming, and the safety gear includes front and side airbags, and anti-skid brakes with brake assist.It is an impressive package and one HSV is proud to tout.“It's a hot sexy product. We think we've absolutely nailed it,” the new HSV managing director, Scott Grant, says.“Maloo is our newest model and so the waiting time is the longest. But the Clubsport is about two months at the moment and the Grange is still selling at more than 20 cars a month, against our forecast of 10 a month.”He says HSV will easily set a sales record at the end of the month, up more than 1000 cars over its previous mark in 2005, with Maloo contributing about 600 sales a year. On the roadThe Maloo is a terrific drive. It is sharp, responsive and very, very quick.Most people would find it impossible to pick it from a HSV sedan, without looking over their shoulder, which is about as good as it gets in uteland.FPV does a similar job in upgrading Falcon utes, but even theirs are not as refined or car-like as the new Maloo.If you try a similar comparison with any of the imported Japanese one-tonners, even the benchmark Toyota HiLux, you come up with working-class vehicles that are much more work than play.I have already run the regular SS ute through the test program and it came out with classy marks, but the Maloo goes a significant step further. And it's not just a hot-rod.It is smoother and more refined than the SS, thanks to a compliant suspension that is surprisingly good.I did not try the Maloo with much of a load, but most owners want them as sports cars and they will get a winner.It turns like a sedan, rides like a sedan and grips like a sedan, even when you push hard. That's when most utes turn into sliding, wheel-spinning monsters.The Maloo tester had an automatic gearbox and it would be our choice. That's partly because it smooths the engine response and partly because it has the excellent manual shift system, but mostly because it damps out the violence of gearshifts, which can often be a problem in utes. (Holden does not have paddles on the steering column).So the Maloo is quick and responsive, and only a little dull against the R8 sedan. As well, it has a classy and comfortable cabin.There is plenty of legroom, with reasonable storage space behind the seats, which can be tricky to tilt, and the sound system is good.But parking and lane changing are awful. The shape of the cabin restricts over-the-shoulder vision and the lumpy luggage cover takes a huge chunk out of the rear view. Thank goodness for parking radar. But vision is the only niggle and the HSV Maloo is one of my favourite drives of the year.  The bottom lineAn all-Aussie success, and a genuine sports truck. 81/100  Snapshot HSV Maloo Price: $61,990 as testedEngine: 6.0-litre V8Power: 307kW at 6000 revsTorque: 550Nm at 5100 revsTransmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive.Body: Two-door utilityDimensions: Length 5040mm, width 1899mm, height 1481mm, wheelbase 3009mm, tracks 1952/1590mm front/rearSteering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinionFuel tank: 73 litresFuel consumption: 14.9 litres/100km (claimed, combined)Weight: 1852kgSpare tyre: Full-sizeBrakes: Anti-skid four-wheel disc with brake assistWheels: 19x8 front, 19x8.5 rearTyres: 245/40 R19 front, 275/35 R19 rearSafety gear: Front airbags, electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, traction control, brake assist with brake-force distribution.Warranty: Three years/100,000km FeaturesAirconditioning 4Cruise control 4Alloy wheels 4Climate control 4Leather seats 4Heated seats 8Parking sensors 4Automatic wipers 44 standard equipment8 nonstandard equipmentHow it comparesHolden Commodore Ute SS: 80/100 (from $39,990)FPV F6 Tornado: 78/100 (from $54,670) Fast factMaloo is an Aboriginal word meaning thunder. 

It speaks volumes for the HSV brand image and appeal that it can sell $125 million worth of merchandise — clothes and caps, not cars — in its 20 years of existence.The company also manages to retail around 4700 cars annually in recent years and is now riding a wave of 12 consecutive record sales months.HSV managing director Scott Grant said business was booming on the back of the VE/WM-based E-Series.“We've now had 12 very strong months with the sedan range and we think the Maloo will add yet another strong pillar to our sales potential,” he says.The Maloo R8's appeal is strong if the reaction from primary school kids at the fence is any indication — and that was just idling by.The VE-based range has the Clayton factory punching out 30 cars a day — it was around six a day when the company started 20 years ago — and the Maloo R8, pictured right, won't make life any less busy for the HSV staff.The ute product is the company's second-biggest seller behind the Clubsport sedan and the new model has the visual appeal to keep its numbers healthy.The new Maloo R8 gets a sleeker profile using a broader “HSV Performance sail plane” on the B-pillar which, when combined with the HSV hard tonneau, gives the ute a coupe-like look. The tonneau even now operates like a very big boot for a two-door sportscar — the new SMC tailgate now holds the locking mechanism that can be remotely operated from the key fob.The Maloo R8 gets a different tailgate to the VE Ute, with HSV claiming a 10-15 per cent weight saving from the new version — made from a sheet-moulded polyester resin compound.It also gets an extended tail-light motif that looks more like decals and a little underdone.The side-skirts get an extra vent that HSV says takes its inspiration from the Walkinshaw Commodore but also looks a little Lamborghini-esque as well.Apart from the odd tail-light set-up, the rear end gets quad exhausts within a diffuser.Under the skin the Maloo R8 now has stiffer spring rates over the R8 and GTS sedan models — the figures are 40 per cent at the front and 50 per cent at the rear — but it retains the same brake package.There's plenty of gear in this ute that rams home the message this is anything but a tradie's ute — a chunky leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, trip computer, Bluetooth phone connection, alloy faced pedals and a leather-wrapped gear shift.The rear vision is restricted by the hard tonneau, which has made the rear parking sensors a must-have for parallel parking and general safety.The Maloo R8 also gets automatic headlights, HSV sports instrument cluster, an upgraded Blaupunkt 6CD MP3-compatible five-speaker sound system, suede/cloth trimmed sports seats (with leather option), dual zone climate control and only dual front airbags, no side airbags.The engine is the now-familiar six-litre alloy V8, offering 307kW and 550Nm of torque with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (a $2000 option).The automatic has been given a make-over by the electronic boffins to get rid of the awkward Sport button. The lever flicks to the left for Sport mode.The manual change function is also now accessed on the left but the new Sport mode complete, with downshift throttle blip, does a more-than adequate job.The rear wheels put those considerable outputs to ground via a limited-slip differential and stability control (which can be switched off).HSV says the ute offers 0-100km/h in 5sec and a top speed limited to 250km/h, but that's only half the story.The Holden VE Ute provides plenty of rear-end grip and HSV have built upon that excellent base.The HSV suspension tweaks don't include the sedan's Magnetic Ride Control. Chief engineer John Clark would have liked to put it on but says that the extra cost was a large chunk of money.“Some of the hardware would have carried over, the front would have but the rear dampers would have been different, then the calibration to do it all adds up to a significant cost,” he says.The tauter springs do detract from the ride quality a little, but body control and grip (thanks in part to a bigger rear tyre) in the corners puts many passenger cars to shame.One disappointment in the Maloo was the change from the VE Ute's easy-to-use seat-flip lever to a system that is more difficult to reach and harder to use.At a tickle under $60,000, the Maloo R8 is a couple of grand cheaper than its predecessor and offers serious performance.But only time will tell if the HSV badge, the extra gear and some extra grunt is worth the $13,000 jump from an SSV. 

It speaks volumes for the HSV brand image and appeal that it can sell $125million worth of merchandise; clothes and caps, not cars; in its 20 years of existence. The company also sold about 4700 cars annually in recent years and is riding a wave of 12 consecutive record sales months.HSV managing director Scott Grant says business boomed on the back the VE/WM-based E-Series; “We've had 12 very strong months with the sedan range and we think the Maloo will add yet another strong pillar to our sales potential.”The Maloo R8 has strong appeal if the reaction of primary school children at the fence is any indication; and we were just idling by. The VE-based range has the Clayton factory punching out 30 cars a day. It was about six a day when the company started 20 years ago and the Maloo R8 won't make life any less busy for the HSV staff.The ute is the company's second-biggest seller behind the Clubsport sedan and the new model has the visual appeal to keep its numbers healthy. The new Maloo R8 has a sleeker profile using a broader “HSV Performance sail plane” on the B-pillar which, combined with the HSV hard tonneau, gives the ute a coupe-like look.The tonneau operates like a big boot for a two-door sports car, the new SMC tailgate locking mechanism can be remotely operated from the key fob. The Maloo R8 has a different tailgate to the VE Ute, with HSV claiming a 10-15 per cent weight saving in the new version, made from sheet-moulded polyester-resin compound.It also gets an extended tail-light motif that looks more like decals and a little under-done.The side-skirts have an extra vent that HSV says is inspired by the Walkinshaw Commodore but also looks a little Lamborghini-esque. Apart from the odd tail-light set-up, the rear end gets quad exhausts within a diffuser.Under the skin the Maloo R8 has stiffer spring rates over the R8 and GTS sedan models; 40 per cent at the front and 50 per cent at the rear; but retains the same brake package.There's plenty of gear ramming home the message this is anything but a tradie's ute, a chunky leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control switchgear, trip computer, Bluetooth phone connection, alloy-faced pedals and a leather-wrapped gear shift.The hard tonneau restricts rear vision, so the rear parking sensors are a must-have for parallel parking and general safety. The Maloo R8 also gets automatic headlights, HSV sports instrument cluster, an upgraded Blaupunkt 6CD MP3-compatible five-speaker sound system, suede/cloth-trimmed sports seats (with leather option), dual-zone climate control and only dual front airbags, no side airbags.The engine is the now-familiar 6.0-litre alloy V8, offering 307kW and 550Nm of torque with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (a $2000 option).The automatic has had a makeover to get rid of the awkward Sport button; the lever flicks left for Sport mode. The manual change is also accessed on the left but the new Sport mode, complete with downshift throttle blip, does a more than adequate job. The rear wheels have a limited-slip differential and stability control (which can be switched off).HSV says the ute offers identical performance; 0-100km/h in five seconds and a top speed limited to 250km/h, but that's only half the story.The Holden VE Ute has plenty of rear-end grip and HSV have built upon that excellent base.The HSV suspension tweaks don't include the sedan's Magnetic Ride Control; chief engineer John Clark would have liked to put it on but says the cost was a large chunk of money.“Some of the hardware would have carried over, the front would have, but the rear dampers would have been different, so then the calibration to do it all adds up to an extra cost,” he says.The tauter springs do detract from the ride quality somewhat; some compliance remains; but body control and grip (thanks in part to a bigger rear tyre) in the corners puts many passenger cars to shame.One disappointment is the change from the VE Ute's easy-to-use seat-flip lever to a system that is more difficult to reach and harder to use.At a tickle under $60,000, the Maloo R8 is a couple of grand cheaper than its predecessor and offers serious performance but only time will tell if the HSV badge, the extra gear and some extra grunt is worth the $13,000 jump from an SSV.