Melbourne 2009: Limited edition HSV Senator unveiled

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.