Review: HSV Gen-F Senator (2013-17)

Overview

Released in May 2013, the HSV Gen-F Senator was a rear-wheel drive, performance sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished in Clayton, Victoria, the Gen-F Senator was powered by 6.2-litre LS3 V8 petrol engines that were mated to either six-speed TR6060 manual or 6L80 automatic transmissions.

LS3 V8 engine

Shared with the E-Series Senator , the all-aluminium ‘Generation IV’ 6.2-litre LS3 pushrod V8 engine had a 103.25 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, cast-steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, coil pack ignition, two valves per cylinder, hollow-stem intake valves, twin knock control sensors, distributorless ignition and a compression ratio of 10.7:1.

While the standard LS3 Gen-F engine initially produced 317 kW, the Gen-F Senator had a bi-modal air intake, high flow inlet tube and high flow headers for a peak power output of 340 kW.

Dimensions

Sharing its Zeta architecture with its E-Series predecessor, the Gen-F Senator was 4947 mm long, 1899 mm wide, 1476 mm tall and had a 2915 mm long wheelbase.

To achieve a mass reduction of around 30 kg relative to its predecessor, the Gen-F Senator Signature had an aluminium bonnet and boot panels. Electric power-assisted steering was also introduced to further reduce fuel consumption.

Suspension

The Gen-F Senator had double-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension. The Senator Signature, however, was also fitted with HSV’s ‘Magnetic Ride Control’ system which used magneto-rheological fluid in the monotube dampers to provide variable damping via the application of an electric current to vary the viscosity of the damping fluid.

For the Gen-F range, Magnetic Ride Control included an extra set of coils that could instantly reverse the polarity of the iron filings to vary suspension damping.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the HSV Gen-F Senator Signature included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, Side Blind Zone Alert, Reverse Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The HSV Gen-F Senator Signature had 367 mm by 32 mm front disc brakes and 367 mm by 28 mm rear discs brakes, with forged four-piston calipers fitted front and rear.

Features

Standard features for the HSV Gen-F Senator included 20-inch Dark Stainless forged alloy wheels with 255/35 R20 front and 275/35 R20 Continental 5P tyres, a nine speaker Bose sound system with a CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation with an eight-inch colour touch screen display, HSV Performance seats with leather trim, eight-way power adjustable and heated front seats, head-up display, an Enhanced Driver Interface, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key, push-button start, power windows and heated mirrors, automatically dipping door mirrors on reverse, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electric park brake, 12 volt power outlet, an alarm and immobiliser.

As standard, the Senator Signature was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

The Senator Signature featured ‘Auto Park Assist’ function which enabled the vehicle to steer into parallel and 90-degree angle parks while the driver operated the accelerator and brake pedals. Models fitted with automatic transmissions also had a remote engine start function which could be operated via the key fob.

November 2014 (MY15): Senator Signature update

As part of the November 2014 (MY15) update, Senator Signature models with automatic transmissions were fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.

2015 Senator SV

Released in February 2015, the Senator SV was distinguished by its:

• SV Rapier forged alloy wheels with a Dark Stainless finish;
• ‘Pitch black’ accents for the front grille surround, fender vents, mirror scalps and rear spoiler; and,
• ‘Senator SV’ markings for the sill plates, ID plate and EDI screen.

Australian deliveries of the Senator SV were limited to 50 vehicles, while two were exported to New Zealand.

Brochure

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F Senator (July 2013)
• Flyer: Holden Gen-F Senator SV (February 2015)

Related links

• HSV Press: HSV Announces Australian Pricing For New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New Senator Signature and Grange Models (May 2013)

HSV Gen-F2 Senator (2015-17)

Overview

Commencing production in October 2015, the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature was powered by GM’s 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 engine. Visually, the Gen-F2 Senator Signature could be identified by its redesigned front fascia with subtle ‘splitter’, pitch black bonnet vents and contoured side skirts.

LSA powertrain and suspension

The 6.2-litre LSA pushrod V8 engine has a 103.25 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke, a cast aluminium cylinder block and head, a sixth-generation Eaton Roots-type supercharger (with four-lobe rotors, a capacity of 1.9-litres and peak boost of 9 psi), a single brick intercooler, hypereutectic pistons and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

For the LSA engine, the Tremec TR-6060 ‘MG9’ manual transmission featured a dual-mass flywheel, twin-plate clutch and triple synchros. Compared to the standard TR-6060 transmissions used in HSV’s Gen-F range, the MG9 transmission had a strengthened output shaft, high-strength rear housing and an additional roller bearing to cope with the high torque outputs. Similarly, the 6L90E automatic transmission had a strengthened input gearset with two additional pinion gears, an additional clutch plate and a strengthened output shaft and gearset.

For HSV Gen-F2 models fitted with the LSA engine, the suspension had stiffer spring and damper rates to reduce body roll and improve corner-entry response. Furthermore, a unique rear suspension module included a 9.9-inch differential, upgraded drive shaft and upgraded prop shafts.

Features

For the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature, the auxiliary gauges at the base of the centre stack were discontinued to improve storage space, while HSV’s ‘Enhanced Driver Interface’ (EDI) was available as extra-cost option.

2017 HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature 30 Years Anniversary

Production of the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature 30 Years Anniversary commenced in January 2017. Changes for the 30 Years Anniversary models included:

• A more powerful LSA engine (outputs increased to 410 kW and 691 Nm) with unique engine build plate; and,
• A modified bi-modal exhaust system in which the exhaust valve control was recalibrated to open earlier in the rev range.

Visually, the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature 30 Years Anniversary could be identified by its’30 Years’ fender badges, ’30 Years’ sill plates, ’30 Years’ rear window sticker and ’30 Years’ floor mats. Furthermore, the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature 30 Years Anniversary had 20-inch ‘SV Rapier’ forged alloy wheels; as an option, 20 x 9.0J front and 20 x 10.0J rear ‘SV Rimfire’ five-spoke forged alloy wheels were also available.

As standard, the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature 30 Years Anniversary was equipped with a torque vectoring system. Previously introduced on the HSV Gen-F GTS, HSV’s brake torque vectoring reduced understeer by generating a ‘rotational moment’ in the rear axle during acceleration. Specifically, the ESC system detected understeer and applied the brake to the inner rear wheel to transfer torque to the outer rear wheel.

As an extra-cost option, the HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature could also be specified with an AP Racing braking package (previously limited to HSV Gen-F GTS) which consisted of 390 mm by 36 mm floating two-piece front brake discs with forged six-piston callipers and 372 mm by 28 mm rear discs with four-piston callipers.

Related links

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F2 Senator and Grange (September 2015)
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV Gen-F2 Senator Signature
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VF Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – Gen F