E Series Senator Signature– Lead a Corporate Takeover

Published: 21 August 2006

Pictured: HSV.

With an elegant, individual sense of style combined with traditional HSV hard edged performance cues, the all new E Series Senator Signature offers the ultimate in an Australian luxury/sporting sedan. Styling is deliberately more understated than it’s overtly sporting siblings yet it still has enormous roadpresence that bares comparison to the best Europe has to offer.

However, the irony is that, for all its elegant overtones and luxurious appointments this model carries all the performance hallmarks found in an GTS and, therefore, is classified as one of the fastest four-door sedans in the world. for buyers who have traditionally shopped amongst the prestige european marques the all new E Series Senator Signature is a genuine alternative and offers extraordinary value for money.

In its price bracket the opposition looks seriously under powered, under equipped and over priced yet to find a model that actually matched Senator Signature’s level of performance, driver oriented technology and luxury features would require an outlay of over twice the price of this outstanding HSV model. in E Series Senator Signature, HSV’s executive express is truly leading the pack.

Styling and design

E Series Senator Signature continues with this model’s distinctive ‘Luxury Performance’ styling theme which offers an excellent top of the range the alternative. The emphasis is on restrained elegance giving subtle clues to the model’s true performance potential.

Front and rear facias are totally unique – the front featuring an understated premium European-style chrome grille complemented by a thin chrome surround for the lower intake. The chrome theme continues on the fender vent slats and the window surrounds.

The fender vents create a strong visual effect and consist of a totally, unique to HSV, fully metal pressed lower guard section. Elegant 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheel add further sophistication to the side elevation.

At the rear there’s a subtle lower diffuser, a set of four premium exhaust tips and a flush mounted rear spoiler. A more slender appearance is afforded to the entire vehicle thanks to the use of a ‘Matt Black’ accenting strip running around the lower body.

Hi-tech LED rear lamps – featuring twin intercepting LED circles – make a visually dramatic statement. Mounted below the rising side feature-line, they give a low, wide look to the rear of the car. They’re also a key point of differentiation since they don’t just\ replace the Holden lamps – they actually require a new rear facia, rear fender cap, electrical body harness and mounting system.

Interior styling is everything you would expect in HSV’s premium luxury/sports model. Colour combinations and quality trim materials have been carefully selected to reinforce the sophisticated individual character and unique seating offers excellent lateral support and sumptuous comfort.

Senator Signature also offers a no-cost option of ‘Light Urban’ trim which is designed to contrast to the standard dark ‘Onyx’ trim throughout. By using classic horizontal colour elements set in relief against the dark lower and upper cabin trims, it creates a high class interior ambience that’s very much typical of European flagship models. Other sporting highlights include a unique HSV instrument cluster, as well as a smoothly integrated three gauge, dash top auxiliary cluster and a chunky design steering wheel rim.

Engineering and technology

While Senator Signature takes a more subtle approach to styling, it certainly delivers against the very highest performance benchmarks. Under the bonnet the unique-to-HSV 6.0 litre LS2 V8 now produces an even more exhilarating 307kW @ 6000 rpm (from 297kW @ 6000rpm) and 550Nm @ 4400rpm (from 530Nm @ 4400rpm) thanks to a revised intake and exhaust system (including new smooth flowing ‘four-into-two-into-one’ tubular extractors) and a 24 month program to refine the engine calibrations, positioning Senator Signature as one of the fastest luxury/sports sedans in the world.

Now standard with an all new 6L80 E six-speed automatic transmission it takes just 5.04 seconds to reach 100km/hr from zero. The new auto has been specifically calibrated to deliver smooth but firm up-shifts and includes a ‘Tiptronic’ function. As a true driver’s car, it will hold selected gears without up-shifting, even when the engine is taken to the rev limiter.

As a complete performance package, brake performance is now also at the very top tier of world class. Developed in conjunction with AP Racing, the all new system consists of enormous (365mm front and 350mm rear) grooved and ventilated rotors complete with extremely rigid HSV specific four piston front callipers that reduce flexing and improve pedal feel and performance. It’s backed up by the latest HSV-tuned Bosch ABS system and more linear friction levels from the new brake pad material.

Electronic driving aids are a major feature of the E Series range and Senator Signature receives the full arsenal, including ABS, Traction Control and two new pieces of cutting edge technology – Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Magnetic Ride Control (MRC). The ESC system has been developed, calibrated and tested specifically to HSV requirements to ensure it perfectly matches the Senator Signature’s new suspension technology and delivers improved overall safety levels without detracting from the traditional HSV driving experience.

The advanced technology of the all new MRC system instantly gives HSV’s luxury/sports model a significant edge over every locally manufactured vehicle and all but a precious few European models. Developed over 3.5 years at a cost of A$4.5 million, this electronically controlled damper system offers Senator Signature drivers two modes – ‘Luxury’ or ‘Performance’ – that transform their vehicle from a luxury ride bias to race track inspired chassis at the press of a dash mounted button. Metal particles suspended in the magneto–rheological fluid within each damper respond to changes in an internal magnetic field to provide continuously variable damping force without any mechanical delays.

To further exploit the rear grip of the new chassis, the front and rear wheel sizes now differ in width – 8-inch front and 9.5-inch rears. 19-inch wheels remain standard and they’re joined by new tyres specifically developed in conjunction with Bridgestone and featuring unique construction, belt angle and tread compound tuned to the hi-tech suspension system.

Senator Signature highlights

- LS2 6 Litre V8 (307kW and 550Nm)

- 6L80 E six-speed automatic transmission

- HSV Premium Four-Piston Brake System

- Exclusive ‘Luxury Performance’ body styling

- Unique LED rear lamps

- 19-inch alloy wheels

- U nique three-gauge dash-top binnacle

- Leather ‘Performance’ suede seats

- Optional ‘Light Urban’ trim (no-cost)

- ESC – Electronic Stability Control

- MRC – Magnetic Ride Control

- Unique HSV instrument cluster and steering wheel

- Front, side and curtain air bags – six in total

- Rain sensing wipers

- Rear roof mounted DVD Player

E Series Senator Signature– Lead a Corporate Takeover

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