HSV Senator Signature LSA 2016 Review

HSV Senator Signature LSA
Road Test

More known for its shouty muscle cars, the quiet retention of the Senator Signature into the GEN-F2 series shows that HSV has a softer side. Its restrained, but still strong, exterior combines with a comfortable and spacious interior to create a car that could define 'executive express'. It may be falling further behind the Euros in terms of tech, but the Senator Signature LSA makes up for this with its 400kW supercharged V8. Priced from $85,990 (plus on-road costs), it's a relative bargain, too.

After the brashness of HSV's GEN-F2 GTS, Maloo R8 and ClubSport Tourer R8, the latest – and last – HSV Senator Signature LSA appears apologetic.

Gone is the brash rear spoiler of the GTS and the snorting snout of the R8 siblings. Here, HSV has applied muscle in a more subtle way.

Of course, looks are subjective, but if you ask me, HSV has nailed the Senator Signature's design. The bonnet flutes and quad pipes remind you what actually lies underneath but they don't dominate the taut restraint that is defined by the grille, side skirt and boot area that features LED tail lamps.

Open the doors and that feeling is extended. HSV Performance seats are trimmed in soft Onyx leather. These are heated for driver and front passenger and both benefit from eight-way electric adjustment. The leather for the steering wheel is pleasingly soft, carbon-look and soft chrome trims abound, and there's no brash two-tone trim to be found.

BOSE premium audio is a bonus, but the MyLink infotainment system still feels its age. A head-up display combines with lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and items such as auto wipers and dual-zone climate.

The biggest boon, however, is the addition of Magnetic Ride Control to the Senator Signature LSA. Capable of Touring and Sport settings, it adds a touch of GTS-like ride tune-ability.

Priced from $85,990 (plus ORCs), the auto-only Senator Signature LSA is $2500 more expensive than the ClubSport R8 sedan when the latter is fitted with the (optional) automatic.

Of course, they appeal to slightly different markets, but on the surface the additional standard equipment makes this appear a reasonable extra ask. Taking in the wider context of V8-powered executive expresses, and the HSV appears remarkable value… with some reservations.

The Senator obviously shares many attributes (and disappointments) of the Commodore on which it is based. There's ample room for five and impressive luggage capacity, but there are also the frustrations of MyLink, which is prone to hanging up and hiding key items in sub-menus (as we found in the other HSVs recently tested).

Although the interior finish feels a legitimate step-up, there remains a feeling that the quality still lags behind the Europeans. In this regard, you get what you pay for.

Beyond that, the climate control feels as though it needs to be upgraded in HSV applications, again proving incapable of efficiently cooling the big cabin.

Perhaps the newly-introduced LSA (at least in this tune) is partly responsible for that, increasing under-bonnet temperatures and demanding more of the cooling systems. Start the Senator Signature LSA, however, and you may forgive it anything… at least beyond the summer months.

Like the Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8, the Senator Signature LSA now develops an even 400kW thanks to a supercharged 6.2-litre V8. That's 30kW off the premier GTS, but is a stout 60kW up on the best naturally-aspirated engine of the same displacement of just one generation back.

The headline figure is backed by 671Nm, so it's safe to say that the Senator Signature LSA is full muscle where it counts.

Interestingly, the sheer volume emanating from the V8 is dulled compared to its rowdier stablemates. The Senator's cabin apparently better isolated from such noises. Seeing photographer Alex's look of surprise as I pass, however, reveals that exhaust volume remains plentiful, and the Senator makes strong progress in any gear at any revs; something that couldn't always be said of the previous atmospherically-powered GEN-F.

The Senator's touring ability is exceptional, the quieter cabin and touring suspension tune of the MRC suspension combining to make serene cruising progress.

Sport mode sharpens steering response measurably yet the ride remains supple. Steering weight increases, but without the artificial feeling some electric systems adopt when asked for response over ease-of-use. Braking, via forged AP four-piston calipers, is feelsome for road use with solid stopping power, though missing the bigger bite of the six-piston jobs on the GTS.

Traction is strong in either mode, given the power and torque figures. The stronger GTS-style drivetrain and long gear ratios also help in this regard, though the six-speed automatic itself feels at least one generation behind the times, even against other traditional torque converter automatics on the market. Compared to a modern twin-clutch, its manual shift response is simply not in the same league.

You may also expect the long gearing to aid fuel consumption, but the Senator still nudges towards 20.0L/100km in mixed driving situations. Even in gentle highway driving it is difficult to match the quoted combined figure.

Perhaps the previous paragraph is predictable, given HSV's penchant for power. To someone interested in buying the Senator Signature LSA, it simply comes with the territory.

Fuel consumption aside, does it effectively fill the subtle muscle brief?

It does, better than ever.

2016 HSV Senator Signature LSA pricing and specifications:
Price: $85,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 6.2-litre eight-cylinder supercharged-petrol
Output: 400kW/671Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 15.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 348g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP