HSV Maloo R8 2013 Review Australia | Features, Specification, Price

• Car Reviews,
• Nov 28, 2021

 

In this article, we are going to review everyone's favourite: the Maloo ute. We are not going to review any Maloo; we are going with the 2013 HSV Maloo R8. The HSV Maloo R8 is the top of the line Ute for Holden Special Vehicles with 340kW underfoot. It is said that this version is much more refined and is said to be a sophisticated beast. 

 

HSV Maloo R8 engine: 

In the GTS, you get the supercharged 430kW LSA engine. The rest of the models get the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre LS3 that produces 317kW of power and 550 Nm of torque as standard.  On the other hand, the R8 boasts an engine that produces 325kW of power and 550 Nm of torque, and the SV Enhanced version gets 340kW of power and 570 Nm of torque.

 

All the models have a six-speed manual. At the same time, a six-speed automatic with active select is optional. Getting the manual will give you launch control, but the downside is that it will provide you with cramps while pushing the clutch in and out in heavy traffic.

 

HSV Maloo R8 specs:

The 2013 HSV Maloo has twenty-inch wheels that are standard. In addition, it has AP four-piston brakes and performance suspension. With these, the R8 has some other features, too, such as a heads-up display and a driver preference dial. It also has the Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI) system. This system provides the driver with various info, including fuel efficiency, vehicle dynamics, and performance-related information.

 

Some standard features include:

✓ Front and rear parking sensors

✓ Automatic park assist

✓ Automatic headlights

✓ Automatic reverse parking

✓ A reversing camera

✓ LED daytime running lights

✓ Blind-spot assist

✓ An electric park brake

✓ Cruise control

✓ Dual-zone climate control 

✓ A six-speaker audio system

✓ USB/AUX inputs

✓ iPod integration 

 

It also has the same eight-inch, high-resolution touchscreen that was present in Holden VF Commodore.

 

The infotainment system integrates the following:

✓ Satellite navigation

✓ Bluetooth connectivity

✓ Audio-streaming

✓ It also has the display for the standard reversing camera

✓ HSV Maloo R8 interior

 

The HSV R8 Maloo has an all-new interior. The interior incorporates new seats, instrument clusters, fabrics, centre console, finishes, trims, and gauges. The position of these gauges has been altered. They are now shifted from the top to the bottom of where the instrument stack is present. In addition, instead of three, there are two displaying oil pressure and battery voltage. 

 

HSV Maloo includes sports leather seats. These leather seats are built to fit a wide range of body shapes. They also have substantial side bolsters. If you are a driver who loves cornering hard through the twisty bits, these seats will give you proper support and comfort.

 

On top of the instrument binnacle and the gear lever has soft-touch material that works cohesively with suede and piano black inserts on the dash, doors and centre console. The dash-top has a more rigid plastic which is offset by silver and carbon fibre-look trim highlights. These highlights provide a sporty ambience to the interior. 

 

Despite being dimensionally smaller than before, the flat-bottom steering wheel is chunky in the hands. It has well-defined thumb cut-outs. These cut-outs intelligently place audio, phone and cruise control buttons.

 

The interior is also very spacious to keep your stuff. You can easily keep your backpacks and laptop bags behind the manually adjustable seats. It also includes netted pockets. In order to access the rear space, the driver has to reset their driving position. 

 

HSV Maloo R8 safety: 

The 2013 HSV Maloo has a five-star safety rating. The R8 comes with all the standard of safety features, including the forwarding:

✓ Collision alert

✓ Blind-spot awareness

✓ Lane departure warning

 

HSV Maloo R8 price:

The HSV Maloo 2013 is priced from $63,000 for Ute Maloo R8. This is because the R8 model also adds plenty of other techs, including  HSV's Enhanced Driver Interface, leather trims, machined faced alloys, bi-modal exhaust, BOSE audio, and a hard tonneau for the tub. The price will vary according to the upgrades and enhancements.  Upgrading includes black accents for the fender vents and mirrors, lighter 20 inch SV Performance forged alloys and a power and torque upgrade to 340kW/570 Nm....

 

The final verdict:

If you want a sporty looking car, the HSV Maloo R8 is a fully-fledged two-seat sports car. If you are single, this is the car for you because a family man always takes the win! The 2013 R8 is still available on the second-hand market, so if you decide upon buying to ensure that you get its past history verified in order to know all about the past of your car and to make the right decision, use the Quick Revs online platform. We provide a detailed history of the hidden past of any vehicle in Australia.