Vauxhall’s new Maloo pick-up has received an all-new, supercharged 6.2-litre, 536PS V8 engine.
Vauxhall describes its only pick-up as ‘possibly not a contender for next year’s MPG Marathon’ but it will haul up to 540kgs from standstill to sixty in ‘an unfeasibly short space of time’ - 0-62mph takes 4.6 secsonds.
For 2016, the new LSA engine brings maximum power up from 431PS for the outgoing LS3 V8 to 536PS, and an increase in torque from 570Nm to 671Nm. First seen in the current VXR8 GTS launched last year, the LSA is essentially the same unit fitted to the Camaro ZL1, albeit in a slightly re-tuned form. An Eaton 4-lobe supercharger, stand-alone water-to-air charge-air cooling system and high-flow exhaust system with bi-modal exhaust function turn the Maloo into the fastest production ‘ute’ manufactured in Australia, and the fastest CV available in the UK.
To cater for the extra 105PS of power and 101Nm of torque compared with the outgoing Maloo, modifications have been made to the vehicle’s chassis. Spring and damper rates have been stiffened to reduce body-roll and further improve turn-in, while the unique rear suspension module delivers improved rear stiffness and rear braking efficiency. Also now standard on the Maloo LSA are Launch Control (manual models only), a limited slip differential, sat-nav, Bluetooth, Onyx Leather trim, and EDI (Enhanced Driver Interface).
In addition to more power and standard equipment, the 2016 Maloo also receives exterior styling upgrades with the front end featuring a re-designed fascia incorporating a subtle splitter, while the addition of pitch-black bonnet air vents help deliver ‘an even more aggressive look’. The pitch-black theme is carried through to the mirror-backs and wing-vents, with a new 20-inch, five-spoke alloy wheel design completing the styling package. Two new colours – ‘Slipstream’ (vibrant blue) and ‘Some Like it Hot’ (metallic red) - complement the Maloo’s fresh new look.
The Vauxhall Maloo is priced from £54,500 on-the-road.