News Source: topspeed.com

When it comes to pickup trucks, the U.S. is arguably the world’s largest consumer. However, North America misses one of the coolest commercial vehicles in the world: the Holden Ute.  Also available in supercharged guise as the Maloo R8 LSA  in Australia, the Ute has long been a forbidden fruit in America, despite rumors that GM  may import it as a rebadged Chevrolet El Camino.  And, with Holden set to cease all manufacturing in 2016, the Ute will pass into the history books without setting wheels in the U.S. Not the same can be said about the U.K. though, which just received a batch of Maloo LSAs wearing the local Vauxhall  badge.

Lucky bastards!

The Ute isn’t actually new on British roads. Enthusiasts already had access to a version powered by the V-8 LS3, but that engine is now being replaced by a more potent LSA, which first debuted in the U.K. in the VXR8 GTS  sedan.

But the Maloo LSA is about more than just a powerful drivetrain. The two-door utility also benefits from new styling upgrades and new standard equipment. Pricing is similar to the VXR8 GTS, which makes it pretty affordable for a performance car. And, although it’s among the most expensive commercial vehicles available in the U.K., it’s definitely the fastest and the most powerful. Keep reading to find out more. Design-wise, the Vauxhall Maloo LSA is identical to the Australian-spec HSV Maloo R8 LSA (not to be confused with the limited-edition GTS Maloo). The Vauxhall  badges on the nose and tailgate are the only new features for the British market. But, that’s far from being bad news, as the Maloo R8 LSA is one badass pickup, wearing an aggressive-looking front fascia with massive air intakes, a muscular engine hood, beefy fenders, and sporty side skirts. Gearheads familiar with the previous LS3 V-8 model will probably notice the new black vents on the hood, black mirror caps, and the 20-inch, five-spoke wheels. To round off the Maloo’s fresh new look, Vauxhall also offers to new exterior colors: Slipstream (vibrant blue) and Some Like it Hot (metallic red). Design-wise, the Vauxhall Maloo LSA is identical to the Australian-spec HSV Maloo R8 LSA (not to be confused with the limited-edition GTS Maloo). The Vauxhall  badges on the nose and tailgate are the only new features for the British market. But, that’s far from being bad news, as the Maloo R8 LSA is one badass pickup, wearing an aggressive-looking front fascia with massive air intakes, a muscular engine hood, beefy fenders, and sporty side skirts. Gearheads familiar with the previous LS3 V-8 model will probably notice the new black vents on the hood, black mirror caps, and the 20-inch, five-spoke wheels. To round off the Maloo’s fresh new look, Vauxhall also offers to new exterior colors: Slipstream (vibrant blue) and Some Like it Hot (metallic red).

Motivation of this Ute comes from a supercharged, 6.2-liter LSA V-8 engine. If this unit sounds familiar it’s because it is the same powerplant found in the Chevrolet  Camaro ZL1. The engine also moves the Vauxhall VXR8  GTS sedan, but output has been lowered for the utility model. Specifically, the Maloo benefits from 529 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, a 47-horsepower and 50 pound-feet reduction compared to the VXR8 GTS. On the flipside, the Maloo LSA is significantly more powerful than the previous LS3 V8 model, bringing an extra 104 horses 74 pound-feet of twist to the table.

The extra oomph allows this latest Maloo to hit 62 mph from a standing start in only 4.5 seconds. While it’s not as quick as the VXR8 GTS sedan, which needs only 4.2 ticks, it’s arguably the quickest utility vehicle you can buy in the U.K. in 2016. The engine mates to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Manual models come with standard launch control.

On top of being quick, the Maloo LSA can also haul quite a lot of stuff, being able to carry up to 1,190 pounds in the back.

To handle all the extra grunt, the pickup also received a limited-slip differential and a stiffer suspension system. Pricing for the Maloo LSA starts from £54,500 (about $81,120), which makes it £1,000 (around $1,488) less expensive than the VXR8 GTS sedan. Granted, it’s not exactly affordable for a two-door that’s neither a coupe nor a proper pickup truck, but it’s definitely an attractive option compared to other performance vehicles on the market. Since the Maloo LSA doesn’t have an actual competitor, as no one else offers a such a body style nowadays (expect Ford in Australia of course), the Mercedes  -AMG E63 Estate is the closest thing you can buy. Much like the Vauxhall, it’s fast and powerful, and it can haul a lot of stuff. Moreover, it can carry more people too, as it can sit up to five adults. Power also comes from a V-8, in the form of a twin-turbo, 5.5-liter unit rated at 557 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. Sprinting from 0 to 62 mph takes 4.3 seconds, which makes it quicker than the Maloo LSA. Opt for the S model and output increases to 585 horses and 590 pound-feet, while 0-to-62 mph drops to 4.2 ticks. The only downside compared to the Vauxhall is the sticker, as the AMG E63 Estate retails from £76,515 (about $113,916). Granted, the Maloo LSA isn’t the kind of pickup you want to buy if you need to haul stuff on a daily basis. Sure, it can carry up to 1,190 pounds and the powerful LSA engine will provide quick delivery, but it lacks many of the advantages of a rugged pickup truck. It sounds ironic, but from a utility standpoint, the Maloo LSA isn’t exactly useful. So are there any reasons to buy one, especially with the AMG E63 Estate providing similar performance and more cargo room? The answer is yes, but only if you desperately need a modern-day iteration of the Chevy El Camino or Ford Rancher,o and you have another five-seater to drive your family around. With 2016 being its last year on the market, the Maloo could also become a collectible in the future.