2008 HSV Maloo Review
January 7, 2008 by Paul Maric
The Maloo is more of a show-pony than a work horse though. A payload of just 500kg means that carting an extensive load is best left to your work mates.
Thankfully, turning corners isn’t a lost cause for this endeavouring brute. The sport tuned suspension allows the car to sit flat through a corner and track much like its sedan counterparts. Piling on power mid-corner doesn’t result in loads of oversteer – which is very good news for a performance ute. If you are liberal with the throttle and don’t get over-enthusiastic, the Maloo can be quite a rewarding drive, not often associated with a utility.
Under the bonnet, HSV’s 6.0-litre V8 LS2 engine produces 307kW and 550Nm of torque. Fuel consumption on test was 15.9L/100km, which isn’t too bad when you consider the lack of highway driving and the aggressive driving style exhibited during the test.
Priced from $59,990 for the 6-speed manual and $61,990 for the 6-speed automatic, an optional ‘performance pack’ can be had for an additional $3,750 – which includes leather/suede Onyx performance seats and 20” wheels.
Despite its shortcomings the Maloo is an absolute hoot to drive. It’s the type of car that seeks attention anywhere it goes. Although it’s nigh on impossible to reverse, it makes up for it with absolutely stellar performance and enough space in the rear for a dirt bike weekend away. It’s the cheapest way to get into a V8 HSV – and in my opinion, it’s the best looking one in their range. Just wait ‘til the Yanks get hold of this.
Now, back to my story. I ended up winning over the brother, but the girl ended up being a waste of time. Suffice to say, he absolutely loved the ute – as did his mates. He does have another sister though…so not all hope is lost.
Engine: 6.0-litres
Power: 307kW
Torque:550Nm
Top speed: N/A
Safety: Electronic stability control- front air bags – front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters.
0-100km/h: 5.5-seconds
NCAP rating: N/A
Turning circle: 11.4m
Fuel tank: 73-litres
Fuel consumption : 14.9L litres/100km (auto), 15.8 litres/100km (manual)
Fuel type: 98RON premium unleaded
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?