Senator from HSV has the floor
Holden hot-rod goes hunting European elite with sophisticated E2 upgradesThe new HSV GTS may be all about re-establishing itself as the king of Aussie muscle cars, but the E2 series Senator Signature and Grange further push the brand towards the market segment occupied by European prestige offerings.
While not solely targeting the imported brands, HSV chiefs have made it clear that both models are aimed as a value proposition in the luxury-performance segment.
"We definitely kept going with the luxury styling there, which we have for years," HSV managing director Phil Harding said.
With that in mind, the designers have taken a more subtle approach to the styling of the new models than they did with the rest of the range.
"We felt the Senator is a little bit of a different market to the GTS and the Clubbie," explained chief designer Julian Quincey.
"We see it as being much more of an alternative to the European luxury brands. So we didn't feel it was appropriate to go fully in-your-face, it's always been a bit more restrained to the other short-wheelbase models.
"For that reason we've taken the original E Series bonnet and if you look at the surfaces on the bumper it is deliberately more restrained and subtle and less in-your-face."
The Senator features daytime running lights (DRL) similar to the rest of the E2 line-up, as well as chrome accents around the grille and a large grille-mounted HSV badge to give it a distinctive look.
At the back, it receives the same rear bumper and tailpipe treatment as the GTS and Clubsport but gets unique 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels with a "chrome shadow" finish.
The Grange has an even more understated makeover and misses out on the DRLs and any major external changes.
HSV is offering Competition mode ESC, extended cruise control, Premium Magnetic Ride Control and the option of SV Enhanced bi-modal exhaust and 20-inch wheels.
The Senator is priced from $82,990 and the Grange starts at $87,990 (both prices are manufacturer recommended prices and don't include government and dealer charges).
For more details of the HSV E2 range, see our extended coverage.
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