The Pontiac GXP performance sedan, killed off when GM axed the Pontiac brand at the end of 2009, has been revived on the other side of the world. The cancelled export order from Holden, General Motors' Australian outpost, has been picked up by its performance division, Holden Special Vehicles.

Lucky Australians will also get something that was snatched from North American showrooms at the eleventh hour: a sport truck version of the GXP that Australians call a ute and HSV calls the Maloo (Aboriginal for "thunder"). Both cars will be priced as entry-level models in the HSV range, bridging the gap between Holden's SS models and the HSV R8 range.

Both GXPs are powered by the LS3 6.2-liter V-8, which pumps out 425 hp and 405 lb.-ft. on Aussie fuel. They also get Brembo brakes and GXP badges, but from there the Australian and North American versions of the GXP start to differ.

The HSV GXP gains the more aggressive front bumper with daytime running lights introduced on the E2 HSV update late last year, and 19-inch alloy wheels from an earlier HSV. (Apparently the polished Pontiac GXP rims had too much bling for local taste.) The Aussie GXP also gets HSV's front fender vents and sports bucket seats, as well as the premium dash with dual zone air-conditioning controls and an upgraded audio system.

The suspension tune of the HSV GXP is identical to that developed for the Pontiac, but the HSV car has a quieter exhaust because of stricter Australian noise limits. HSV engineers had to develop a unique suspension and stability control calibration for the GXP sport truck to go with the Brembo brakes and revised rear suspension.

Rather than cannibalize sales of the dearer HSV models, the company believes the GXP could help walk customers "up" to a more expensive Clubsport R8 or Maloo R8. The GXP delivers the same performance and has the same power as the dearer models but misses out on launch control, wider rear tires, and the option of a bi-model exhaust system.

The GXP sedan also lacks the unique-to-HSV LED taillights and more aggressive rear bumper and trapezoidal exhaust tips. And the GXP sport truck misses out on the regular Maloo's hard lid with power bulges, vented side skirts, unique tail-gate, and rear bumper.

Although HSV has clearly taken advantage of the Brembo brakes and GXP badges originally created for the Pontiac, HSV says its GXP not an "inventory car." Indeed, HSV says it had to order more parts such as engines and Brembo brakes to make up the numbers. The GXP is proving to be popular with the first two months of production already allocated. The sport truck has accounted for most of the early demand so far.

"This is not a case of taking over some leftover items from the GXP export program, we have actually had to order more of everything to make up the numbers we want," says HSV boss Phil Harding. "The truth is that ever since 2006 we've been looking at an opportunity to place a model below the Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8. When we saw the GXP coming through the Holden system we started looking at what we could do from a HSV point of view. And we think we've come up with something unique."

HSV plans to build 400 sedans and 350 sport trucks in a strictly limited run, but already dealers and customers are calling for the GXP to become a regular part of the HSV lineup. Says HSV Marketing Manager Tim Jackson: "At this stage it is a limited edition. But we expect to learn a lot about this car. Let's get it out there and see what the interest is like and make a decision after that."