Holden Special Vehicles Maloo

Holden Special Vehicles Maloo
HSV Maloo R8 (Gen-F)
Overview
Manufacturer
Also calledVauxhall Maloo
Production1990–2017
AssemblyAustralia: Notting Hill, Victoria
Clayton, Victoria
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size
Body style2-door coupé utility
Platform
RelatedHolden Commodore
Holden Ute
HSV ClubSport
HSV Grange
HSV GTS
HSV Senator
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Chronology
PredecessorHolden Sandman Ute
SuccessorHolden Special Vehicles SportsCat

The Holden Special Vehicles Maloo (HSV Maloo), is a performance coupé utility vehicle produced by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) from 1990 to 2017. As Holden's designated performance vehicle division HSV introduced the Maloo model in 1990, based on the Holden Utility (VG), offered with the 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine. The VU Series Maloo was the first with the LS1 engine and introduced the Maloo R8 specification.

In 2006 a Z Series Maloo R8 driven by Mark Skaife set the Guinness World Record for the fastest production utility / pickup truck with an average speed of 271.44 km/h (168.66 mph).

The 'Maloo' name comes from a word in an Aboriginal language for "Storm" or "Thunder".

History

The HSV Maloo was released in October 1990, with the VG Series Maloo. It used a 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine at 180 kW (241 hp), 135 units were produced.[1][2][3] In 1992 the VP Series Maloo launched, with the same power.[4]The name 'Maloo' originated from a word in an Aboriginal language for "Storm" or "Thunder".[1]

In 1993, the VR Series Maloo released, with a reworked interior and a 5.0-litre Holden V8 at 185 kW (248 hp). The VS Series was launched in April 1995, in the VS, VS II Series, and 'VS II at VT' the power was unchanged from 185 kW (248 hp).[4] In 1999 the VS III Maloo launched, with a 5.0-litre Holden V8 at 195 kW (261 hp), and was the last Holden Special Vehicles to use the 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine.

The VU Series Maloo was released in March 2001, with a 5.7-litre LS1 engine at 255 kW (342 hp). The VU series saw the introduction of the HSV Maloo R8 specification, in this series it included a hard tonneau with a spoiler, and 18 inch wheels, while the regular Maloo had a soft tonneau.[5]

In October 2002, the Y Series Maloo launched with a LS1 engine at 260 kW (349 hp).[6] The 'Performance' Brake system came standard on the Maloo, and the "Premium' Brake System standard on the Maloo R8. The Y Series 2 released in October 2003, with a LS1 engine at 285 kW (382 hp).[7] The Z Series Maloo was released in October 2004, with a 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine at 297 kW (398 hp).[8]

In May 2006 the Z Series HSV Maloo R8 set the Guinness World Record for the fastest production utility / pickup truck.[9] The Maloo was driven by Mark Skaife, in the Woomera Prohibited Area, at 265.72 km/h (165.11 mph) with headwind and 277.16 km/h (172.22 mph) with tailwind for an average speed of 271.44 km/h (168.66 mph), beating the previously world record holder, the Dodge Ram SRT-10 by more than 20 km/h (12 mph).[10] The Z Series Maloo still holds the record as of March 2025.[11][12]

The E Series Maloo released in October 2007, was only available in the Maloo R8 specification. It was initially offered with a 6.0-litre LS2 engine at 307 kW (412 hp), later transitioning to a 6.2-litre LS3 engine at 317 kW (425 hp) in 2008. The E Series 2 released in August 2009, adding daytime running lights and adding two vents on the bonnet of the Pontiac G8. The E Series 3 released in 2011, it introduced the option of a bi-fuel option using liquid propane injection (LPI) to run on LPG and petrol.[13]

In August 2013 the Gen-F Maloo was released, with a LS3 engine at 317 kW (425 hp), the Maloo R8 with a LS3 at 325 kW (436 hp).[14] The Maloo MY15 had a LS3 at 325 kW (436 hp).[15] Production of the Maloo ended in 2017.[16][17][3]

Special editions

The VS series had limited production '10th Anniversary' editions in 'anniversary bronze'.[18] In 2010 a limited edition Maloo GXP launched, with Pontiac styling with the front bumper.[19] with the Maloo R8 SV Black having a LS3 at 340 kW (456 hp).[20] In 2014 the Maloo GTS was released, being powered by a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA engine at 430 kW (577 hp).[21]

The '20 Years of Maloo R8' limited edition was equipped with bonnet scoops, 'Vector E' vents on the front guards and bi-model exhaust.[22] In New Zealand a 'Murph Special Edition', was released, named after racing driver Greg Murphy.[23] In 2010 the HSV Maloo R8 20th anniversary Maloo released, with a blind spot warning system, backup camera, and parking sensors.[24]

In 2017 the Maloo GTSR released, with a supercharged LSA at 435 kW (583 hp),[25] the Maloo R8 LSA released with a supercharged LSA at 400 kW (536 hp), the Maloo R8 LSA 30th Anniversary with a supercharged LSA at 410 kW (550 hp).[26]

In 2017, a Ute version of the limited production HSV GTSR W1 was launched, with only 4 units total being produced. These were not sold to the public and were instead only sold to select people.[27][28] The HSV GTSR W1 Maloo was powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged LS9 engine outputting 474 kW (636 hp).[1] The colours of the four units produced are: matte metallic grey (Son of a Gun Grey), pale yellow (XU3 Yellah, a nod to the original HSV VS GTSR produced in 1996), gold (Light My Fire) and red (Sting Red).[29] In 2022 the Yellow model was listed for sale for AU$1.5 Million.[30]

United Kingdom

See also: Vauxhall VXR8

In 2011 the E Series Maloo started to be exported to the United Kingdom under Vauxhall's performance division VXR as the Vauxhall Maloo with a LS3 engine at 317 kW (425 hp).[31][32][33] In 2017 the Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo LSA was introduced with the same 6.2-litre supercharged LSA producing 400 kW (536 hp) and 671 N⋅m (495 lb⋅ft).[34][35]

Concepts

In 2001 Holden Special Vehicles produced the Maloo-based concept car 'HSV HRT Maloo'. The HRT Maloo concept had a Callaway tuned 6.2-litre LS6 engine at 350 kW (469 hp), 20-inch wheels and a wider body.[36]

In 2003 the 'HSV Maloo Cab Chassis' concept was shown at the 2003 Australian International Motor Show, it was powered by a LS1 producing 260 kW (349 hp). It was a cab chassis model based on the Holden One Tonner.[37]

  • HSV Maloo HRT concept (VU)
  • HSV Maloo Cab Chassis (VY)

Production

Holden Special Vehicles Maloo production[38]

Series Units Years
VG 132 1990–1992
VP 49 1992–1993
VR 156 1993–1995
VS ? 1995–2000
VU, VU II 301, 483 2000-2002
VY, VY II 499, 673 2002–2004
VZ 1995 2004–2006
VE 1795 2007–2013
VF ? 2013–2017

References

  1. ^ a b c Day, Lewin (August 2025). "The History Of Australia's Wildest V8 Utes, Named For Thunder And Built For Speed". theautopian.com. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  2. ^ "1990 HSV VG Maloo – Todays Tempter". tradeuniquecars.com.au. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b Hunting, Benjamin (31 October 2025). "15 Legendary Pickup Trucks America Was Never Allowed to Buy". Motor Trend. Retrieved 17 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b "HSV celebrates 20 years of thunder". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  5. ^ "HSV VU Maloo: You Bloody BeaUTEy!". club.shannons.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  6. ^ Butler, Glenn (1 October 2002). "HSV VY Series 2002 Review". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  7. ^ Fincham, Chris (1 September 2002). "HSV VY Series II 2003 Review". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  8. ^ Fincham, Chris (1 October 2004). "HSV VZ Range". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  9. ^ "HSPN reviews". news.hspn.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  10. ^ Cordony, Louis (3 February 2019). "2006 HSV VZ Maloo R8: Fast car history lesson". Motor. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  11. ^ Margeit, Rob (27 March 2025). "Australia once built the fastest ute in the world. It still is". drive.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Woomera zooms". Air Force (newspaper). Canberra, Australia. 27 July 2006. p. 9. Retrieved 15 November 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ Hammerton, Ron (21 September 2010). "First drive: HSV holds E3 price rise to $1000". goauto.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  14. ^ Newton, Bruce (7 June 2013). "HSV GEN-F 2013 Review". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  15. ^ Taylor, Aiden (16 October 2014). "HSV Gen-F range updated for 2015". Motor. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  16. ^ Dowling, Joshua (3 January 2018). "HSV GTS-R W1 production ends: last Australian-made car rolls off Holden Special Vehicles assembly line". News.com.au.
  17. ^ Brogan, Matt (1 February 2017). "HSV GTSR W1 2017 Review". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  18. ^ Pettendy, Marton (2 August 2002). "HSV has delivered some very tidy performance cars and the Maloo ute is one of them". goauto.com.au. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  19. ^ Dowling, Joshua (10 March 2010). "HSV GXP 2010 Review". carsales.com.au.
  20. ^ Nikolic, Trent (24 November 2016). "2016 HSV Maloo R8 SV Black review". drive.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  21. ^ "HSV Gen-F Maloo – HSV Database". hsvdatabase.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  22. ^ Stevens, Mike (13 September 2010). "HSV 20 Years Of Maloo R8 Limited Edition Announced". drive.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  23. ^ Brogan, Matt (11 February 2017). "SV: A timeline of Aussie-made muscle". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  24. ^ Hagon, Toby (13 September 2010). "20th anniversary for HSV Maloo". drive.com.au. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  25. ^ Casey, Kez (30 October 2021). "'Untouched' HSV GTSR Maloo utes listed for auction". drive.com.au. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  26. ^ Newman, Scott (27 April 2016). "HSV Maloo R8 LSA review". whichcar.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  27. ^ Heagney, Kian (24 June 2022). "HSV GTSR W1 market analysis – what are they worth?". Street Machine. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  28. ^ Maric, Paul (19 February 2021). "HSV GTSR W1 Maloo ute review". CarExpert.
  29. ^ Dowling, Joshua (30 January 2021). "HSV GTSR W1 Maloo sells for $1.05 million: new auction record for an Australian-made car". drive.com.au. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  30. ^ Dowling, Joshua (26 January 2022). "Beyond the pale: HSV Maloo GTSR W1 for sale, $1.5 million". drive.com.au. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  31. ^ Barry, Ben (26 January 2015). "HSV Maloo E3 ute (2011) review". carmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  32. ^ Nightengale, Will (5 March 2012). "2012 Vauxhall Maloo review". What Car?. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  33. ^ "First Drive: Vauxhall Maloo VXR8 – Front Seat Driver". frontseatdriver.co.uk. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  34. ^ Trott, Nick (22 February 2017). "Vauxhall Maloo VXR8 LSA review - Tiff Needell drives the brute ute". evo.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  35. ^ Wong, James (18 December 2015). "HSV Maloo GTS storms UK". carsales.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  36. ^ Nally, Steve (15 July 2019). "2001 HSV HRT Ediiton Maloo concept feature: classic MOTOR". Motor. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  37. ^ Newton, Bruce (28 February 2003). "Reborn cab-chassis One-Tonner leads a workhorse flood at Holden". goauto.com.au. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  38. ^ "HSV celebrates 20 years of thunder". carsales.com.au. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
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