HSV INTRODUCES LIMITED EDITION "GTS MALOO"

Australia's leading performance car manufacturer, HSV, has confirmed details of an exciting new limited edition model – the GTS Maloo.

Just 12 months since the launch of the GEN-F GTS, the most powerful production car ever built in Australia, HSV is set to launch a limited edition GTS Maloo which adopts the much acclaimed 430 kilowatt / 740 Newton-metre 6.2 litre Supercharged LSA engine, as well as many of GTS's safety and performance technologies.

HSV Managing Director Tim Jackson commented, "We have been working on this project for a couple of years now. There are a number of unique elements required to integrate the LSA into the Maloo platform, and significant time in getting all the safety and performance technologies to operate effectively."

"Every time we launch a vehicle is an exciting time, but we believe the GTS Maloo is something special and sets a new benchmark in the performance market" Jackson said.

Complementing the LSA powertrain will be HSV's premium braking package – lightweight AP radical forged 6-piston brake calipers with 390mm (front) and 372mm (rear) 2-piece rotors.

In addition, and what is believed to be a global first for a utility, the GTS Maloo will be fitted with Torque Vectoring. Currently only fitted to a few exclusive global marques and HSV's GEN-F GTS, Torque Vectoring helps reduce understeer by generating a "rotational moment" in the rear axle when the vehicle is under power. The vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system detects the understeer event, applies braking to the inside rear wheel and transfers torque to the outside rear wheel.

The GTS Maloo's street presence will be clearly identifiable through the adoption of GTS's unique front fascia design that delivers both an aggressive stance and an extensive air-intake surface area to deliver the required engine cooling.

The GTS Maloo will be available with either a TR6060 (MG9 spec) 6-speed manual transmission with oil cooler and twin plate clutch, or an optional 6L90E 6-speed heavy duty automatic transmission with oil cooler.

HSV's unique Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs), side skirts, twin-hump hard tonneau and performance sail-plane help complete the visual makeover and are complemented by light-weight 20" "Blade" forged alloy wheels presented in a new "Dark Stainless" finish. Shadow-chrome quad exhaust tips and a unique number plate surround paintout combine to deliver an aggressive rear-end look with "LSA" and "GTS" badges adorning the tail-gate.

Concurrent with the launch of the GTS Maloo will be the introduction of two new colours to the HSV range: Some Like It Hot, a rich bronze/red, and Jungle Green, an iridescent olive green.

HSV Performance seats wrapped in Onyx leather trim, or the optional "Red Hot" leather trim, set off an interior which also features a broad range of driver convenience and safety technologies.

The GTS Maloo will feature HSV's Driver Preference Dial which facilitates the adjustment of the vehicle's ESC, Traction Control, Launch Control (manual transmission), Torque Vectoring, Electric Power Steering and new electric Bi-Modal Exhaust according to three distinct pre-set modes – Touring, Sport and Performance.

Head-up Display, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Rain Sensing Wipers enhance the driver environment while the unique Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI) system provides the driver with all the performance data he or she will require.

Build of the GTS Maloo will be limited to just 250 vehicles (240 for Australia and 10 for New Zealand) with each build plate individually numbered.

Production is due to begin early November with vehicles expected to be available in dealerships later that month.