2008 HSV Maloo Review
January 7, 2008 by Paul Maric
Steering is taken care of by a HSV styled steering wheel, not dissimilar to the one used in the Clubsport R8 and GTS. Steering response and feel is also on par with its sedan siblings, a light feel to the steering along with decent accuracy are impressive traits the Maloo boasts.
A 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional 6-speed automatic gearbox are available to send power through. The test vehicle was fitted with the slick shifting 6-speed manual gearbox. Shifts from first to second require a hearty slam, while the transition through the rest of the cogs is more seamless. The pedals are adequately spaced for heel-toeing, catering for the enthusiastic driver.
Holden’s ESP system does a brilliant job when put to use throughout HSV’s range – including the Maloo. The ESP light often flashes in the background when giving the Maloo the beans, generally just limiting torque slightly, instead of stopping all power to the wheels. When the back end steps out, the system allows some foreplay before it steps in again to bring things under control.
Interior build quality is nothing to write home about. Much like most other VE Commodores I’ve driven, the handbrake fails to sit flush with the console when released and the glovebox randomly releases when there is a little too much weight in there. The quality of materials is good though, helping the interior feel quite sturdy and firm.
The sound system is another gripe I continuously have with Holden’s VE range. Even in higher models like the Maloo, the sound system fails to offer any great deal of bass and begins distorting before reaching attentive levels. It’s an easy to use system though, the large LCD screen allows the customisation of the equaliser, along with easy transition through tracks and radio stations.
look at the sexy curves
The wheels are crap. It’s over priced by about $10,000.
Those (fake light) tailgate decals are absolutely awful !!!
Was behind one today…
I would peel them off !!!
Dumb name but WAD A CAR!
Im a Fordie but I’d go over for this and the HSV Senator.
Would hate to get the side panels scratched tho, thats a one piece mold innit?
another naff HSV. WHat were they thinking with those stick on taillights…..looks like something you but at Autobarn!!! HSV have never designed a body kit that looks integrated with the crs body..they always look tacked on. It is way overpriced for a mobile glovebox. And those bloody front wheel arches……..talk about overkill !!!!
Maloo is an aboriginal word for Thunder.. .There are those who like to chase Thunder Storms which is lucky that FPV make the Pursuit ute
hi all i have one of these fantastic machines
i have done 17000 kl in 5 months and am scrubbing the new 275 tyres out on the inside
the dealer wants me to pay for new ones
Anybody have some knowledge about rear suspension problems with the ve 275×40x20 tyres and suspension
please get back to me as i really don’t want to pay for them if its a design problem
regard David
I like others waited for the 6.2ltr and ordered mine on the day of release 10 months later and several more dollars at Walkinshaw I picked it up. I have got to be honest I love this car more than anything in the world……..BUT!!! at 600kms it was on the back of a truck Ignition barrel siezed then after the hype had died down and I started to really look at the car the paint was terrible bumpers were a different colour to the panels which was a different colour to the lid and side skirts. Back to HSV my brand new car was at a crash repairs getting the sides resprayed and HSV couldnt care less there after market service was basically non existent. Walkinshaw on the other hand were brillian but had no problems with any of there parts (front spoiler,exhuast,chip and cold air induction)the finish of the car was ordinary the carpet had been badly glued under the pedals and all the little things started to really bug me…I still have my ute and I still love it just cant get the bad taste out of my mouth though!!
I have to respond to the ford freaks, Fore can not build a V8 to beat holden/hsv…. why do you think theyre focus is I6 Turbo (which is also very dated technology, for example, I6’s can not go fast on a hot day….. kinda pointless having an F6 that gets owned by a SV6 0-80k’s on a 37c day in north QLD… after the 80k mark there is no point continuing due to limits and then the turbo finally kicks in.)…..
To everyone else bitching about it being a pointless ute…. Its not supposed to be a work ute. Its supposed to be a show ute – for the blokes the actual men with hairy chests and penis’s – the guys who love utes but dont love to mess them up with dirty old ladders and pipes hanging off them….. fark if we want a work horse – we would buy an F-truck or a rodeo/colarado even a hilux for god sake…. Theyre a novelty ute…. theyre supposed to be rediculasly good looking (which they do) and theyre supposed to be excellent handlers and fast (on hot days) … which they also succeed at…
IMO – This is an awesome car, however, I wouldnt own one due to lack of MRC *sadface* – however, that also has its pro’s, thinking easy suspension upgrades.
nice car, i like it, but it is sad that my neighbors 2003 XR6 Turbo 5 speed beats these cars every time, by half a car or 1 car ahead! , it is weird, somebody explain, we are talking about an old 1st 5 speeder XR6 T with non LSD 3.23 single spinner like on usual XT beating a 317kW fully fledged 6.2 0-100km/h and quarter mile!
help me, 240kW vs 317kW, 450Nm vs 550Nm, explain please?????????? a stock 4.0L Turbo, old and falling apart!!!! beating this?
why?