The LS3 disappeared from HSV’s R8 range when it updated to Gen-F2 guise last year but it’s now been re-injected by two new SV Black special editions.
Both the Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8 SV Blacks will welcome an exclusive styling package along with the 6.2-litre atmo V8, the former painting their exteriors in a theme brooding enough for Darth Vader.
Using the current R8 LSA’s bodykit as the foundation, the SV Black adds ‘Tornado’ style 20-inch alloys from the previous Gen-F but coats them in Satin Black to match black AP Racing brakes.
Streaking down each model’s sides are stripes matched to black badging and a stealth ‘Lo-line’ spoiler atop the Clubsport’s boot lid, or Maloo’s rear lower applique. Both models score shadow-chrome exhaust tips.
Borrowed from the R8 LSA are black fender vents and door mirrors, but in contrast to the supercharged model’s chrome window surrounds, the SV Black’s is finished in… black. Inside is as per R8 LSA except for leather sport ‘buckets’, ‘SV Black’ sills and a centre console badge.
HSV’s revived the LS3 without tweaking, meaning the SV Black is just as powerful as its atmo forebears with 340kW/570Nm bolted to a six-speed manual.
When they arrive in dealers next month it’ll cost you $62,990 for a manual Maloo R8 SV Black while its sedan counterpart will command $65,990, undercutting the Gen-F Clubsport R8 by $7K. A six-speed automatic will whack on another $2500 to the total but won’t affect the discount.
Australia will be offered 350 Clubsport R8s and 100 Maloo R8s, while New Zealand will score 18 sedans and 2 utes, and each unit will be individually numbered.
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