Melbourne 2009: Limited edition HSV Senator unveiled
Click above for a high-res gallery of the HSV Senator
In conjunction with the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show, HSV has announced the release of a special-edition Senator super-sedan. A less-expensive ( $69,990 AU – about $44,600 USD) alternative to the pricier, more lavishly-equipped Senator Signature ($80,500 AU – about $51,300 USD) that launched in 2006, the Senator will be limited to a total of just 89 cars. Thirty of these cars get manual transmissions; the rest will have automatics.
While the new Senator makes do without features such as the Magnetic Ride Control suspension found on the Senator Signature, the important part – the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 lump underhood – remains. It's good for 317 kilowatts (425 horsepower) and 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) of torque, which should be more than enough juice to generate a cloud of tire smoke visible from the moon.
Gallery: HSV Senator
[Source: HSV]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JZeke 10:36AM (2/27/2009)
You know...
If Pontiac had to be sacrificed, the front end of this particular car would look great with a bowtie... just a thought.
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Eddie 10:50AM (2/27/2009)
Yea, that would make a nice Impala.
Jj 10:49AM (2/27/2009)
Seems a little odd to make a model that is supposed to be an alternative to a pricier model and then limit it to only 89 cars. How many of the Signature model did they make? 10?
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BoxerFanatic 10:51AM (2/27/2009)
Three words:
Buick Grand National
The HSV version could get that name, and the regular Senator re-badged as some L-name.
As long as they paint it black. Red looks good, but almost to Commodore/G8 for a car that is better equipped.
I don't know why this car isn't selling so well over here. I think there is even more of a case for a Buick version with a nicer appointed leather interior, and such. It wouldn't even really be dinged for not having a manual transmission, like the G8 GT, and as a more luxury oriented car, the weight issue is less of a problem, as well.
It is hard to get a 2-ton automatic sedan to act like a lighter performance car that should have a stick.
It is easier to get a 2-ton automatic sedan to act like... an entry-lux sedan with RWD.
The Senator lineup should be Buick's answer to the Hyundai Genesis, with the DI V6, and SBC V8 engines.
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Frylock350 11:03AM (2/27/2009)
*clap* *clap*
I've said from the day the G8 came out it should have been a Buick. The Holden Caprice/Statesman would make a fantastic Buick Roadmaster, with the Commodore becoming the Regal.
KeatMP 11:08AM (2/27/2009)
I wish I lived in Australia!!
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VictorRaikkonen 12:31PM (2/27/2009)
We cannot all live in paradise! That said, I use we had your prices for electronic item and food.
Serge 11:13AM (2/27/2009)
The 2010 LaCrosse should stay the way it is. It's very long I believe, bigger than the G8 anyway.
The G8 should get new, luxury car body panels and an interior similar to the 2010 LaCrosse, along with the 3.6L DI V6 and GM should detune the LS3 to get more MPG and less noise for the V8 version.
This way there will be a cheap V8 RWD sport sedan (G8) and Buick will have a large luxury FWD/AWD cruiser and a mid-size RWD luxury sports sedan. For those who want better handling and sportier looks, there will be the CTS.
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007s_astonmartin 11:18AM (2/27/2009)
Holdens are so much better looking then the rebadged pontiacs
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Blacksabre 11:35AM (2/27/2009)
Geez...it's a Taurus.
Look at the styling.
And i thought the Chinese were bad.
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Andy 11:58AM (2/27/2009)
I was thinking it looked a little more like an audi but thats just me...
Jens 11:41AM (2/27/2009)
Interesting drive train and chasis, too bad its wrapped up in such a mundane body. and that's suppose to be a limited edition no less. Rather disappointing. The profile reminds me of a last-gen Altima... not a bad thing, but its still a design that's passed its prime.
The Ford Falcon XR8 or XR6 Turbo is much more to my liking.
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Jason 11:42AM (2/27/2009)
Why is it that every Australian Holden or Ford seems like it would have looked REALLY great... 10 years ago? Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad looking car, but their designers' ideas of what looks good seem to be as stylistically isolated from the rest of the world as their island is, geographically.
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Terry 11:44AM (2/27/2009)
$51k for this thing? You gotta be effing kidding me.
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Berto 3:03PM (2/27/2009)
There is always at least one of you in every one of these posts.
Australian prices do not directly translate to American prices. Their economy is way different to ours. For example, the Australian population is only about 20 million, the US population is well over 300 million, therefore accounting for a huge difference in market sizes (i.e. potential customers). If you were to look at a map, you'd also see that Australia is quite far from most major exporters and combined that with the smaller market, it becomes inefficient and costly to get goods to Australia, therefore most products are more expensive to make up for such costs.
Take for example the G8 GT and the Commodore SS. Same car. When the G8 was first brought over, the US and Aussie dollar where almost at par. A new Commodore SS would run you about 45-47K, whereas the G8 GT here was about 30-33K. Different markets, different prices.
The point is, prices in different countries rarely translate directly.
Level 12:02PM (2/27/2009)
Pontiac needs to drop that twin grill family face and move on ahead to the Holden look..It will do wonders for the brand..
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Rick 12:15PM (2/27/2009)
Hints of Audi and previous model Passat in it, I love it! It looks hot. Just lose the black bottom edge and wow, that is one sexy car. Very nice.
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Dustin 1:49PM (2/27/2009)
How can they have 425hp without hood scoops?? (sarcasm)
Oh that's right, Pontiac is GM's boy-racer brand.
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Roy Now 2:29PM (2/27/2009)
it would fail in the US - no fake hood scoops or day-glow orange dash – fake carbon fiber or over the top spoiler – think Monaro -->> GTO
True sports sedans e.g. available manual, hood w/out fake hood scoop, are not that popular in the US
Go Cadillac CTS…
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Berto 3:13PM (2/27/2009)
I honestly wish the HSV range would be brought over to the US. I do not say this because just because they look cool, but because I have had the privilege to experience and try out most of the HSV range during my time working in Australia.
As a matter of fact, I got to ride in Senators and Statesmen all the time and loved them. Nothing like a luxury car that doesn't stand out too much but can turn into a badass muscle car and perfect getaway car.
Anytime US Congressional delegations or politicians visit Australia, they get driven around in Senators and Statesmen. They always love them and 1) are surprised that they are from a GM company and 2) Wonder why we don't have them. Even our Sec State got to ride in one of these HSV models when she visited Perth last year and loved it.
I also agree that Holden cars need to come to the US as Buicks and they should keep the Holden front-ends. No more hood scoops, no more crappy pontiac front-end, just a good conservative, yet stylish Aussie front-end.
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