Malibu HSV Response R8

HSV - the name evokes images of brutally fast cars, the burble of hairy-chested V-eights and the smell of molten rubber. In the automotive world, Melbourne-based Holden Special Vehicles is known far and wide for its ability to engineer and build extremely fast, exceptionally good handling road cars. Its logo is synonymous with speed, exclusivity and excitement and petrolheads around Australia hold its products in reverential awe. Its Commodore and, more recently, Monaro-based roadsters are considered about the best there is in locally-built four-wheelers.

But last year's Sydney Motor Show saw a surprise package unveiled on the HSV stand. It was long, low, lean 'n' mean, but would have been hopelessly out of its depth trying to cut a fast lap around Mount Panorama. The Response R8 was billed as the ultimate accessory for existing or aspiring HSV owners: a colour-coordinated skiboat, complete with its own colour-coordinated trailer, including big-buck wheels and huge, vice-like high-performance brakes.

It was a real head-turner and the public reaction was positive enough to convince HSV - and its marine partner, Albury-based Malibu Boats - to embark on a limited production run of the highly exclusive skiboat, which is based on Malibu's existing Response model. Thus was born the HSV Response R8, an appropriate name given the boat's public stamp of approval.

Trailer Boat recently attended a special media day, conducted at the National Watersports Centre at Carrum, in Melbourne, to announce the start of the new boat's production. On hand for the event was HSV's General Manager, Chris Payne, as well as Malibu's Simon Hill. And just to emphasise the performance heritage of the new boat, V-eight Supercar pilots, Greg Murphy and Todd Kelly, of the HSV-backed K-Mart Racing Team, also attended. Apart from being indecently fast on dry land, both are known for their exploits on the water, Kelly in particular is acknowledged as an expert skier.

PERFORMANCE PARTNERSHIP
Payne described the decision to produce HSV's new water toy as a marriage of two high performance-minded companies with similar philosophies. He explained that HSV had considered various proposals to produce other 'accessories' to its road car range, but Malibu's concept for the Response R8 represented "a perfect fit" for the company's existing products and client profile. Hill added that the R8, whilst an impressive boat aesthetically, was designed as a thoroughbred tournament skiboat.

Unfortunately, with a packed schedule on the day, each media outlet was allocated only around an hour of water time to come to grips with the Response and talk with company officials.

Trailer Boat was at least first cab off the rank and after a short briefing by Simon Hill, we were cut loose on the water.

With its HRT racecar-inspired graphics, the R8 definitely looks the business. Idling with its distinctive V-eight burble, it looked like it was doing 100mph just sitting next to the jetty. After Simon warmed it up with a couple of runs on the baby-bum-smooth Watersports Centre course, it was time to step aboard and slide into the pilot's seat. And what a seat it is... Both the driver's and observer's seats have been taken straight out of HSV's roadsters.

A visual tour of the interior reveals a layout more car than boat. The HSV influence is nowhere stronger than in the driver's 'office', where, but for the view through the tinted screen, you could be forgiven for thinking you were inside one of the company's big-dollar road cars. The all black and grey interior finish is as plush and refined as you'd expect to find in one of HSV's Senators or ClubSports. The road car link is further reinforced with the HSV sports steering wheel and car-like, multi-function dash with subtle carbon fibre insets. And just in case anyone forgets from whence the R8 came, there are a multitude of HSV logos scattered throughout the interior as reminders.

DIGITAL OBSERVER
In addition to the standard fittings, our particular testboat also came with some optional extras, including a quality, mega-watt Clarion DVD stereo system and closed circuit video ski monitor system. More gimmick than necessity - in my opinion at least - the dash-mounted LCD video screen is hooked up to a camera at the rear of the boat. While the idea of a digital observer is great in theory, sunglare on the screen and the need to take your eyes off the course, albeit momentarily, make the system a questionable option. Still, I'm sure that many R8 owners will appreciate it, if only for its 'technofunk' appeal.

The interior decking is fully carpeted and extends back to the passenger lounge seat, behind which is a handy, fully-lined gear storage trunk.

At the heart of the beast, and dominating the interior, is one of Chevrolet's new generation, alloy LS1 5.7lt powerplants - the same basic engine as used in HSV's road cars, but retuned slightly to provide power characteristics more suited for skiboat duties. Still, at 240kW, and with a tugboat-like 533Nm of torque, the big mill still has plenty of punch, albeit delivered in a smooth velvet glove. Drive is via a Hurth marine FNR transmission via a double-tapered 1 1/8-inch shaft, off which spins a 3-blade Mad Dog prop.

As we putted out from the jetty and slowly turned to aim the Response down the Watersports course, I felt, for a moment, a little like one of the dragboat pilots that had, a couple of weeks earlier, thundered their way down the aquatic quarter-mile.

With eight seriously large pistons lunging up and down less than a metre behind my seat, the petrolhead in me took over. Instinctively, I planted my right foot, before embarrassingly realising that throttle and gear control was via the inappropriately puny lever at my right. If I have a beef with the R8, it's one that any self-respecting V-eight punter will relate to - throttle control on any bent-eight must always, always be via a pedal, and preferably one of those meaty, cartoon foot-shaped numbers. There's just nothing quite like mashing your foot to the boards and letting that big old dog roar - as one of my drag racing mates is wont to say.

THROTTLE TO THE STOP
Still, as I forced the throttle lever to the stop, I was rewarded with the music of a healthy V-eight unleashed. And while the resultant acceleration was impressive, I was equally impressed by the R8's attitude in the water. It sat rock-steady, nice and flat, despite the mechanical mayhem forcing it through the water at a very bloody impressive rate of knots.

The R8 obviously draws on Malibu's vast experience, both here and in the US, as far as skiboat hull design is concerned. The full-fibreglass, 6m hull hugged the water, generating a nice, flat wake that could be easily enhanced with Malibu's wake-inducing Wedge option for the more adventurous skiers and wakeboarders. Steering, via the rack and pinion rudder system, was pinpoint accurate and responsive. In tight turns on full throttle, the R8 turned effortlessly, sitting flat and squat, with no hint of lean or other misbehaviour. I'd rate it as excellent, with a confidence-inspiring feel and tight, predictable handling.

For the record, the R8 peaked-out at 89kmh (indicated) at 5500rpm.

After what seemed like an all-too brief stint behind the wheel, we alighted in favour of the aforementioned Misters Kelly and Murphy. Neither being strangers to watersports, and skiboats in particular, they proceeded to put on a suitably impressive display for the assembled scribes and photographers. With Todd on the rope, and 'Murph' behind the wheel, they ably demonstrated the capabilities of the R8 to an appropriately impressed audience.

CUSTOMER CUSTOMS
Potential Response R8 owners will be able to customise their boats with a range of options, including their own graphics and paint scheme (HSV owners can even have a paint scheme to match their car), various interior finishes and colours, the audio-visual package as fitted to our test boat, plus optional wheel and brake packages for the trailer. But that hallowed HSV logo comes at a price - even for the 'no-frills' base package. Try $81,340 off the showroom floor, putting the R8 very definitely in the upper end of the skiboat market. Five dealers - Elite Ski Boats (SA), C&P Water Ski (Qld), Regal Marine (Vic) and GRE Marine (NSW) - have been appointed to handle sales. Speaking of which, Chris Payne reported that, at the time of going to press, around 10 orders had been placed. At this stage, the partnership intends to produce a total of 20 Response R8s - period - with no plans to build more in the future. So, for their money, buyers can at least be confident that they are in a very exclusive club. Each boat will be individually numbered with its own build plate, while owners will receive "all the usual customer intimacies afforded to HSV car buyers", said Payne.

The R8 is not for everyone. It's intended to be the marine equivalent of HSV's red hot ClubSport roadster and, as such, will likely attract a similarly well-heeled clientele. It's simply the ultimate plaything for people with a taste for serious toys. In other words, it's for people who will have one simply because they "just want one".