HSV Senator Signature 2009 Review

HSV Senator Signature SV08

Road Test

Overall rating: 3.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 3.0/5.0
Price, Packaging and Practicality: 3.0/5.0
Safety: 3.0/5.0
Behind the wheel: 3.0/5.0
X-factor: 3.0/5.0

For all its flared wheel arches, stylish 20-inch alloy wheels and thumping V8 engine, the real story of the upgraded Senator Signature SV08 is the gearbox; more specifically its manual gearbox.

Holden and its performance offshoot HSV have always struggled to find a suitable manual gearbox for the 6.0-litre V8s that lurk beneath the bonnet. My previous experiences of HSV (and in the interests of fairness, Holden too) manuals has been disappointing. There's no questioning it takes a tough gearbox to handle all the torque the big engines churn out but they have always struck me as possessing a rough action. That's why even though manuals remain my preferences for performance cars, I've found myself preferring the automatics whenever I'm in a hot Holden.

But the SV08 special edition introduced the new Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual in an effort to rectify the situation. And there is no mistaking it is a new 'box as soon as you start shifting -- the 6060 has a much smoother action and better feel.

While still not up to European standards the change brings HSV into line with cross-town rivals FPV who also use the TR6060 making the new Tremec a very worthy change. It allows for greater enjoyment but still provides the mechanical feel that will be familiar to anyone who has sampled an HSV.

But if it was me buying a Senator Signature, I'd still opt for the automatic. While the new manual is better it still doesn't represent an advantage over the auto -- especially given the 'executive express' nature of the Senator.

Very much a luxury-sport model both in style and execution, the Senator is definitely not a muscle car that demands a manual 'box to get the most out of it. On the other hand if you were after a Clubsport R8 or GTS then the manual is well worth consideration.

The long-wheelbase Grange is an impressive vehicle and offers up an Australian alternative to European and Japanese limousines. The Senator Signature sits beneath as a homegrown option for buyers looking for performance, comfort and looks.

One surprising aspect of the SV08 was the fuel economy. HSV's official figures of 15.1L/100km on a combined cycle and 22.3L/100km in urban conditions are numbers that won't scare a Toyota Prius. But our week in the car that was made up primarily of urban driving with only two brief motorway runs left us with consumption hovering around 15.8L/100km. That's impressive given the size and performance of the engine and certainly better than we expected.

While still lacking the finer details that European cars generally offer (though at a much higher pricetag in terms of comparable performance), the SV08 isn't too far off in terms of overall refinement.

It is another step in the right direction for HSV. Perhaps it is only a matter of time before the Europeans start to worry...

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