Though Holden, sadly, is pulling out of local manufacturing in 2017, its high-performance HSV division is certainly not lying down and waiting for the end. Indeed, HSV has given us details of a new limited edition model in the hottest market segment in Australia – which these days is the sports ute.
A limited edition, the HSV GTS Maloo ute gets the big 6.2-litre supercharged V8 LSA engine with 430 kilowatts of power and a stirring 740 Newton metres of torque. Its not just about grunt, the GTS Maloo also shares many of GTS’s safety and high-performance technologies.
From a styling point of view, the GTS Maloo’s uses the GTS sedan’s front fascia design. This not only provides an aggressive stance, but also uses large, aero designed air-intake surface area to deliver the required engine cooling.
Says the managing director of HSV, Tim Jackson, “We have been working on this project for a couple of years now. There are a number of unique elements required to integrate the LSA into the Maloo platform, and significant time in getting all the safety
and performance technologies to operate effectively.
“Every time we launch a vehicle is an exciting time, but we believe the GTS Maloo is something special and sets a new benchmark in the performance market” Jackson said.
The big-power LSA powered vehicle needs to be able to stop as well as go. HSV’s premium braking package with lightweight AP radical forged six-piston brake calipers are huge, 390 mm diameter at the front and 372 mm at the rear.
What HSV thinks is a global first for a utility, sees the GTS Maloo will be fitted with the traction advantages of torque vectoring. The vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system detects the understeer event, applies braking to the inside rear wheel and transfers torque to the outside rear wheel.
The GTS Maloo will be available with either a TR6060 (MG9 spec) six-speed manual gearbox with an oil cooler and twin plate clutch, or a 6L90E six-speed heavy-duty automatic transmission, again with an oil cooler.
Styling is further beefed up by HSV’s Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs), side skirts, a twin-hump hard tonneau and performance sail-plane. There are lightweight 20-inch ‘Blade’ forged-alloy wheels in what HSV calls ‘Dark Stainless’ finish.
Shadow-chrome quad exhaust tips and a number plate surround paint-out combine to strengthen the rear-end look with. There are LSA and GTS badges on the tailgate.
Concurrent with the launch of the GTS Maloo is the introduction of two new colours to the HSV range: Some Like It Hot, a rich bronze/red, and Jungle Green, an iridescent olive green.
HSV performance seats are finished in Onyx leather trim, or the optional “Red Hot” leather trim.
The GTS Maloo will feature HSV’s Driver Preference Dial which alters the adjustment of the vehicle’s ESC, Traction Control, Launch Control (manual transmission), Torque Vectoring, Electric Power Steering and new electric Bi-Modal Exhaust according to three distinct pre-set modes – Touring, Sport and Performance.
The Enhanced Driver Interface(EDI) system provides the driver with all the performance data.
Safety features include Head-up Display, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and automatic wipers.
Production is due to begin early in November with vehicles expected to be available in dealerships later that month. Each GTS Maloo will be individually numbered on a build plate.
Build of the new HSV GTS Maloo ute will be limited to just 250 vehicles, 240 will stay in Australia, 10 will be sent across the ‘dutch’ to New Zealand.
