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The commemorative R8 Clubsport sedan Holden Special Vehicles built to mark its 20 years in business will go on sale in New Zealand next month - but only 15 will be available.
Holden V8 Supercar drivers Todd and Rick Kelly lifted the covers off the R8 at the Sydney Motor Show. They also unveiled the new Maloo R8 Ute.
HSV has restricted production of the anniversary R8 to 100 vehicles - 85 for Australia and the balance for New Zealand.
But there are no such production limits on the Maloo R8. New Zealanders can have as many as they want, says Holden NZ public relations officer Brodie McClellan. The Maloo also arrives here next month.
The limited-edition sedan is officially called the HSV Clubsport R8 20th Anniversary. Scott Grant, managing director of GM-Holden's go-fast arm, said the model celebrated the heritage of the company.
The birth of HSV and the revealing of the first VL Group A SS Commodore, referred to as the Walkinshaw, took place at the 1987 Sydney Motor Show. From those humble beginnings, HSV has gone on to produce over 55,000 vehicles. It is only fitting that the company unveil a limited-edition model to commemorate its 20th anniversary.
The company has had an outstanding 12 months, but in typical HSV style was looking to the future and making sure it continues to bring out products that Kiwis love to drive.
The R8 sedan picks up elements from HSV's range-topping GTS and retains the 307kW LS2 V8 engine, performance brake package and aggressive styling. It gets a number of unique features including a sandstorm colour, special anniversary sill plates and black GTS accenting with leather performance seats and 20th anniversary logos. Chrome shadow wheels and black and gold-finished brake callipers round out the bespoke changes.
The R8's price in New Zealand is $82,490 for the six-speed manual and $83,490 for the automatic.
HSV chief engineer John Clark described the Maloo R8 Ute as a coupe with a damn big boot. "We began working on the Maloo Ute at about the same stage as the E series sedan, with the aim of building on the dynamics of the sedan," Clark said.
This Ute is HSV's most responsive ever and the testing programme undertaken in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden has resulted in the complete driving package.
Design manager Julian Quincey and his team spent over two years working towards the end result.
"The HSV product group continually pushed the design of our E Series Maloo Ute to the limits. It really looks like a showcar for the road and must rate as the sportiest production ute the world has seen," Quincey said.
The R8 Maloo runs the 307kW LS2 V8 engine and is mechanically much the same as the VE Clubsport sedan.
AP Racing four-piston callipers are fitted to the front, while a Walkinshaw-inspired sideskirt is part of the external package that includes a moulded composite tailgate with parking sensors and a hard tonneau with a remote release on the keyfob.
Pricing for New Zealand will be available in November.
