Review: HSV Gen-F Maloo (2013-17)

Review: HSV Gen-F Maloo (2013-15)

Overview

Released in May 2013, the HSV Gen-F Maloo was a rear-wheel drive, performance utility. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished in Clayton, Victoria, the Gen-F Maloo was powered by 6.2-litre LS3 V8 petrol engines that were mated to either six-speed TR6060 manual or 6L80 automatic transmissions.

Released in November 2014, production of the supercharged GTS Maloo was limited to 250 vehicles (240 for Australia and 10 for New Zealand).

Maloo: LS3 V8 engine

Shared with the E-Series Maloo , the all-aluminium ‘Generation IV’ 6.2-litre LS3 pushrod V8 engine had a 103.25 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, cast-steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, coil pack ignition, two valves per cylinder, hollow-stem intake valves, twin knock control sensors, distributorless ignition and a compression ratio of 10.7:1.

While the Maloo engine initially produced 317 kW, the Maloo R8 engine produced 325 kW due to its high-flow exhaust system which included X-pipe intermediate and bi-modal mufflers. Furthermore, an optional ‘SV Enhanced’ package was available which included a bi-modal air intake, high flow inlet tube and high flow headers.

With the release of the ‘MY15’ Maloo in November 2014,

• The standard Maloo was fitted with the high-flow exhaust system previously reserved for the Maloo R8; and,
• The Maloo R8 was fitted with the SV Enhanced package as standard.

GTS Maloo: LSA V8 engine and transmissions

Previously introduced in the Gen-F GTS , the supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 engine utilises a sixth-generation Eaton Roots-type supercharger (with four-lobe rotors, a capacity of 1.9-litres and peak boost of 9 psi), a single brick intercooler, hypereutectic pistons and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

For the GTS Maloo, the Tremec TR-6060 ‘MG9’ manual transmission has a dual-mass flywheel, twin-disc clutch and triple synchros. To cope with high torque outputs, the MG9 transmission also has a strengthened output shaft, high-strength rear housing and an additional roller bearing compared to the standard TR-6060 transmission. Similarly, the 6L90E automatic transmission – with steering wheel gearshift paddles for sequential shifts – will have a strengthened input gearset with two additional pinion gears, an additional clutch plate and a strengthened output shaft and gearset.

Dimensions and development

Sharing its Zeta architecture with the E-Series Maloo , the Gen-F Maloo was 5040 mm long, 1899 mm wide, 1480 mm tall and had a 3009 mm long wheelbase.

Relative to its predecessor, fuel efficiency measures for the Gen-F Maloo included a lighter aluminium bonnet and electric power-assisted steering.

Suspension

The Gen-F Maloo had double-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Gen-F Maloo included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, Side Blind Zone Alert, Reverse Traffic Alert and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The R8 variants were further equipped with Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems.

Brakes

The Gen-F Maloo had 367 mm by 32 mm front disc brakes and 367 mm by 28 mm rear discs brakes, with forged four-piston calipers fitted front and rear.

The Maloo GTS had 390 mm by 36 mm floating two-piece front disc brakes with forged six-piston AP Racing calipers and 372 mm by 28 mm rear discs with two-piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the Gen-F Maloo included 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/35 R20 front and 275/35 R20 Continental 5P tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation with an eight-inch colour touch screen display, HSV sports seats with cloth trim, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key, push-button start, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electric park brake, 12 volt power outlet, soft tonneau cover, an alarm and immobiliser.

An ‘Auto Park Assist’ function was also standard which enabled the vehicle to steer into parallel and 90-degree angle parks while the driver operated the accelerator and brake pedals. Models fitted with automatic transmissions also had a remote engine start function which could be operated via the key fob.

Compared to the standard Maloo, the Maloo R8 was further equipped with HSV Performance seats with leather trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, an Enhanced Driver Interface, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers and a hard tonneau cover.

Maloo SV Enhanced

In addition to the engine power boost, the extra-cost SV Enhanced option pack included 20-inch ‘SV Performance’ forged alloy wheels with a Satin Graphite finish and unique interior and exterior accents. 

November 2014 (MY15): Maloo update

With the release of the MY15 Maloo in November 2014,

• Models with automatic transmissions were fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles;
• The 20-inch alloy wheels for the Maloo R8 featured a ‘Tornado Grey’ finish;
• An optional ‘Pitch Black’ styling package was introduced which included black accents for the fender vents and casings; and,
• New ‘Jungle Green’ and ‘Some Like It Hot Red’ paint finishes were introduced (replacing ‘Karma’ and ‘Fantale’);

Brochures

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F Maloo (July 2013)
• Brochure: HSV Gen-F GTS Maloo (August 2014)

Related links

• HSV Press: HSV Announces Australian Pricing For New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New Maloo Range (May 2013)

HSV Gen-F2 Maloo (2015-17)

Overview

Commencing production in early October 2015, the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo was available with GM’s 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 engine. While priority was initially given to LSA-powered production, supply of the LS3-powered Gen-F2 Maloo commenced in the first quarter of 2016.

Identification

From the front, the Maloo R8 LSA could be identified by its redesigned front fascia with subtle ‘splitter’ and pitch black bonnet vents. In profile, the Maloo R8 LSA had new five-spoke alloy wheels, pitch black door mirror scalps and fender vents, and new contoured side skirts. A new ‘vibrant ocean blue’ paint finish named Slipstream was also introduced.

Features

For the Gen-F2 Maloo R8, the auxiliary gauges at the base of the centre stack were discontinued to improve storage space, while HSV’s ‘Enhanced Driver Interface’ (EDI) was available as an extra-cost option.

2016 Maloo R8 SV Black

In June 2016, HSV commenced production of its final run of LS3-powered vehicles. The HSV Maloo R8 SV Black was released as part of this run and could be identified by its 20-inch ‘Satin Black’ alloy wheels, black AP Racing four-piston brake calipers, pitch black fender vents and mirror scalps, black door surrounds and lower door accents, shadow-chrome exhaust tips and black badging. Inside, the HSV Maloo R8 SV Black featured leather-clad sports bucket seats and unique sill and ID plates.

Production of the Maloo R8 SV Black was limited to 102 vehicles: 100 for Australia and two for New Zealand.

2017 HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8 30 Years Anniversary

Production of the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8 30 Years Anniversary commenced in January 2017. Changes for the 30 Years Anniversary models included:

• A more powerful LSA engine (outputs increased to 410 kW and 691 Nm) with unique engine build plate; and,
• A modified bi-modal exhaust system in which the exhaust valve control was recalibrated to open earlier in the rev range.

Visually, the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8 30 Years Anniversary could be identified by its ’30 Years’ fender badges, ’30 Years’ rear window and ’30 Years’ floor mats. Furthermore, the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8 30 Years Anniversary had matte black accenting on its alloy wheels; as an option, 20 x 9.0J front and 20 x 10.0J rear ‘SV Rimfire’ five-spoke forged alloy wheels were also available.

As standard, the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo 30 Years Anniversary was equipped with a torque vectoring system. Previously introduced on the HSV Gen-F GTS, HSV’s brake torque vectoring reduced understeer by generating a ‘rotational moment’ in the rear axle during acceleration. Specifically, the ESC system detected understeer and applied the brake to the inner rear wheel to transfer torque to the outer rear wheel.

As an extra-cost option, the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8 30 Years Anniversary could also be specified with an AP Racing braking package (previously limited to HSV Gen-F GTS) which consisted of 390 mm by 36 mm floating two-piece front brake discs with forged six-piston callipers and 372 mm by 28 mm rear discs with four-piston callipers.

2017 HSV Gen-F2 GTSR Maloo

Production of the HSV Gen-F2 GTSR Maloo commenced in April 2017. Compared to the HSV Gen-F2 Maloo GTS, outputs for the HSV GTSR’s engine increased to 435 kW at 6150 rpm and 740 Nm at 3850 rpm, in part due to the fitment of a hi-flow K&N performance air filter. Like the HSV Gen-F2 30 Years range, the bi-modal exhaust system for the GTSR had a recalibrated exhaust valve control that opened earlier in the rev range.

Visually, the HSV Gen-F2 GTSR Maloo could be identified by its new front fascia with matte black accents and graphics, front splitter which extended around the lower edges, new daytime running lamps and wider front fenders (by 12 mm on each side) which featured horizontal fender vents. At the rear, the GTSR Maloo had a wider and lower rear diffuser, and quad exhaust outlets.

The HSV Gen-F2 GTSR Maloo had wider fenders to house the 20 x 9.0J front and 20 x 10.0J rear ‘SV Panorama’ five-spoke forged alloy wheels which had waisted spoke sides to reduce mass and a ‘Hyper Dark Stainless’ finish. Furthermore, the HSV GTSR Maloo had 410 mm fully-floating front brake discs with Ferodo 4488 brake pads and six-piston monoblock AP Racing calipers.

Inside, the HSV GTSR Maloo featured ‘HSV Podium’ seats that were finished in Alcantara and had diamond-quilted stitching and leather bolsters.

Related links

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F2 Maloo (September 2015)
• Brochure: HSV Gen-F2 GTSR and GTSR W1 (January 2017)
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV Gen-F2 Maloo R8
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VF Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – Gen F