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Holden unleashes powerful ute

The HSV Gen-F GTS Maloo ute will have a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine.

Amid the commentary surrounding the demise of local manufacturing, it has been somewhat overlooked that the closure of Australian assembly lines will not only mark the end of the large family sedan but also another icon: the Aussie ute.

However, Holden has ensured its last-ever tradie-mobile gets a big-time send-off, revealing the upcoming HSV Gen-F GTS Maloo ute will be the fastest in the world.

There will be 250 of the new high-performance utes made, 10 of which will cross the Tasman and be sold in New Zealand.

It will score the same behemoth 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine which appeared in the GTS sedan, the fastest production car built in Australia.

Performance figures for the GTS Maloo haven't been released. However, the LSA engine generates a hefty 430kW and 740Nm and launches the sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 4.4 seconds.

HSV managing director Tim Jackson said the new ute was a couple of years in the making.

"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," Mr Jackson said.

"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."

One such innovation is the inclusion of torque vectoring, which brakes the inside wheel during a corner and transfers torque to the outside wheel to reduce understeer. HSV says this is the first time a ute has had such a feature.

It gets many of the same perks found in the sedan, including HSV's premium brake package of lightweight AP radical forged six-piston brake callipers with 390mm (front) and 372mm (rear) two-piece rotors.

Buyers have a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox and will also get HSV's Driver Preference Dial which allows them to adjust traction control, power steering, electric bi-modal exhaust system and more.

Design-wise, the GTS Maloo gets the same aggro face as its sedan sibling, including the extensive air-intake surface area required to keep the engine cool.

Other signature HSV design elements include daytime running lights, side skirts, twin-hump hard tonneau and 20-inch Blade alloy wheels.

The new model also introduces two new colours: the pictured Jungle Green and Some Like it Hot, a bronze/red hue.

Inside sees leather-wrapped HSV sports seats while head-up display, forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensing wipers are all included.

Expected to cost in the realm of $90,000, it will be Australia's most expensive ute. Production is due to begin in early November, with deliveries expected to arrive in dealerships later that month.