Holden Special Vehicles Senator

The Holden Special Vehicles Senator (HSV Senator) is a full-size performance luxury sedan, built by Holden's designated performance vehicle division, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), produced from 1992 to 2017.

Holden Special Vehicles Senator
2010 HSV Senator Signature (VE II)
Overview
Manufacturer	Holden (General Motors) Holden Special Vehicles
Production	1992–2017
Assembly	Australia: Notting Hill, Victoria Clayton, Victoria
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon (1997)
Platform	GM V platform (1992–2006) GM Zeta Platform (2006–2017)
Related	Holden Commodore HSV ClubSport HSV Grange HSV GTS HSV Maloo
Powertrain
Engine	5.0L HEC 5000i V8 5.7L HSV stroker V8 5.7L 'LS1' V8 6.0L 'LS2' V8 6.2L 'LS3' V8 6.2L 'LSA' supercharged V8

The Senator was introduced in 1992, based on the Holden Berlina (VP), offered with 5.0-litre Holden V8 engines, the VR Senator added a 5.7-litre 'stroker' V8. The VT II series replaced the Holden V8s with the 5.7-litre LS1 V8. The Gen-F2 Senator introduced a supercharged LSA. The Senator was discontinued in 2017. It was based on the Holden Berlina and Holden Calais.^[1]

History

The VP Series Senator released in 1992. The Senator had a 5.0-litre Holden V8 engine at 180 kW (241 hp), the Senator 5000i 200 kW (268 hp). It was based on the Holden Berlina, adding independent rear suspension and an anti-lock braking system, new wheels, interior and a body kit.^[2][3]

In 1993 the VR Series Senator released. The Senator 185i had a 5.0-litre Holden V8 at 185 kW (248 hp), the Senator 215i had a 5.7-litre 'stroker' Holden V8 at 215 kW (288 hp). It came with a redone interior, 17 inch alloy wheels, and an optional spoiler.^[4][5][6] In 1995 the VS Series Senator released. The Senator 185i having a 5.0-litre Holden V8 at 185 kW (248 hp), the Senator 215i had a 5.7-litre Holden V8 at 215 kW (288 hp). It came with Sport and Touring suspension options, and 10 spoke wheels ^[7][8]

The VT Series Senator Signature released in 1997. The Senator 195i had a 5.0-litre Holden V8 at 195 kW (261 hp), the Senator 220i had a 5.7-litre 'stroker' Holden V8 at 220 kW (295 hp).^[9][10] The VTII Series Senator released in 1999, with a 5.7-litre LS1 engine producing 250 kW (335 hp). An optional performance pack adding new suspension, breaks and seats 18 inch alloy wheels from the WH Grange, optional satellite navigation, sunroof, and premium brakes and sound system.^[11][10] The Senator Signature wagon was released in 1997, selling 27 total units.^[12][13]

The VX Series Senator Signature 255i released in 2000, with a LS1 at 255 kW (342 hp). The Senator 300i and SV300 released in 2001 with a 5.7-litre 'C4B' engine, a Callaway tuned LS1 at 300 kW (402 hp). The SV300 was only produced in manual with a six-speed T-56 manual gearbox, 134 SV300 units were produced.^[14][9][15]

The Y Series Senator and Senator Signature released in 2002 with a LS1 engine at 260 kW (349 hp). The Signature came with 19 inch wheels, the Premium Brake System, a calibrated suspension called 'Luxury 3', cross-drilled and ventilated brake discs, and four-piston calipers.^[16][17] The Y II increased the power to 285 kW (382 hp).^[18] The Z Series Senator released in 2004, with a 6.0-litre LS2 engine at 297 kW (398 hp).^[19]

The E Series Senator Signature released in 2006, with a 6.0-litre LS2 at 307 kW (412 hp), later transitioning to a 6.2-litre LS3 at 317 kW (425 hp). It included a 'luxury' Magnetic Ride Control suspension option as default, 19 inch wheels.^[20][21][22] In 2008 the limited run Senator SV08 released, it used the six-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual transmission.^[23] E Series 2 added daytime running lights.^[24] The E Series 3 released in 2010, adding a bi-fuel option, running on petrol and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), using liquid propane injection (LPI), a blind spot monitor, and optional bi-modal exhaust.^[25][26][27]

The Gen-F Senator Signature released in 2013, with a LS3 at 340 kW (456 hp). The automatic gearbox was a no-cost option.^[28][29] The Gen-F2 Senator Signature released in 2016, with a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA engine at 400 kW (536 hp).^[30][31] In 2015 the 'Senator SV' released, 52 units were produced.^[32] In 2017 the Senator Signature '30 Years' edition was released, powered by a supercharged LSA engine at 410 kW (550 hp).^[33] The Senator was discontinued in 2017.^[2]

Powertrain

Powertrains

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	Transmission
VP Senator (1992–1993)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	180 kW (241 hp)	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)[34]	four-speed automatic six-speed manual
VP Senator 5000i (1992–1993)	5.0-litre HEC 5000i V8 engine	200 kW (268 hp)	411 N⋅m (303 lb⋅ft)[34]	four-speed automatic
VR Senator 185i (1993–1995)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	185 kW (248 hp)	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)[5]	four-speed automatic six-speed manual
VR Senator 215i (1993–1995)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	215 kW (288 hp)	475 N⋅m (350 lb⋅ft)[5]	four-speed automatic six-speed manual
VS Senator 185i (1995–1997)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	185 kW (248 hp)	400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft)[8]	automatic five-speed manual
VS Senator 185i (1995–1997)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	215 kW (288 hp)	475 N⋅m (350 lb⋅ft)[8]	six-speed manual
VT Senator 195i (1997–1999)	5.0-litre Holden V8 engine	195 kW (261 hp)	430 N⋅m (317 lb⋅ft)[35]	four-speed automatic six-speed manual
VT Senator 220i (1997–1999)	5.7-litre HSV Stroker V8	220 kW (295 hp)	475 N⋅m (350 lb⋅ft)[35]	four-speed automatic six-speed manual
VTII Senator and Senator Signature (1999–2000)	5.7-litre LS1 V8	250 kW (335 hp)	473 N⋅m (349 lb⋅ft)[10]	automatic six-speed manual
VX Senator 255i (2000–2002)	5.7-litre LS1 V8	255 kW (342 hp)	475 N⋅m (350 lb⋅ft)[14]	automatic
VX Senator 300i and SV300 (2000–2002)	5.7-litre LS1 V8	300 kW (402 hp)	510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft)[14]	six-speed manual
VY Senator (2002–2003)	5.7-litre LS1 V8	260 kW (349 hp)	475 N⋅m (350 lb⋅ft)[36]
VYII Senator (2003–2005)	5.7-litre LS1 V8	285 kW (382 hp)	510 N⋅m (376 lb⋅ft)[36]
VZ Senator (2005–2007)	6.0-litre LS2 V8	297 kW (398 hp)	530 N⋅m (391 lb⋅ft)[37]
VE Senator (2007–2008)	6.0-litre LS2 V8	307 kW (412 hp)	550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)[38]	six-speed automatic six-speed manual
VE Senator (2008–2010)	6.2-litre LS3 V8	317 kW (425 hp)	550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)[38]
VE Senator (2010–2013)	6.2-litre LS3 V8	325 kW (436 hp)	550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)[38]	six-speed automatic six-speed manual
VF Senator (2013–2016)	6.2-litre LS3 V8	400 kW (536 hp)	570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft)[39]	six-speed automatic manual
VFII Senator (2016–2017)	6.2-litre LS3 V8	400 kW (536 hp)	671 N⋅m (495 lb⋅ft)[30]	six-speed automatic six-speed manual
VFII Senator '30 years' (2017)	6.2-litre LS3 V8	410 kW (550 hp)	691 N⋅m (510 lb⋅ft)[33]	six-speed automatic