- Powerful stroked and 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engines
- Accomplished dynamics
- Spacious interior and supportive front seats
- Steering lacks feel and feedback
- Four-speed automatic transmission provides clunky downshifts
- Tremec T56 manual transmission has sloppy action
- Poor build quality for early LS1 engines
HSV VT.I Senator (1997-99)
Overview
Released in September 1997, the HSV VT Series I (VT.I) Senator was available as a rear-wheel drive sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the VT.I Senator 195i and 220i were powered by 5.0- and 5.7-litre V8 petrol engines, respectively. While Senator 195i was available with either a five-speed Getrag manual or four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission, the Senator 220i was offered with either a six-speed Borg Warner T56 manual or four-speed Borg Warner automatic. Wagon models, however, were solely available with automatic transmissions.
5.0- and 5.7-litre V8 engines
As with the VS Senator , the cast-iron 5.0-litre pushrod V8 engine had a 101.6 mm bore, 77.8 mm stroke and two valves per cylinder, though sequential fuel injection was introduced and the compression ratio was increased to 8.8:1 (previously 8.4:1). The 5.7-litre version of this engine had an 88.4 mm stroke, an 11 mm longer Harrop crankshaft, flat-top pistons and a unique flywheel, valves and valve springs.
Dimensions and suspension
Based on the Holden VT Commodore , the VT ClubSport had an all-new chassis and, compared to the VS Senator , the sedan was 58 mm longer (at 4919 mm), 48 mm wider (1842 mm), 47 mm taller (1450 mm) and had a 57 mm longer wheelbase (2788 mm); wagon models, however, were 147 mm longer (at 5066 mm) and had 150 mm longer wheelbases (2938 mm).
The VT Senator had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, self-levelling rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator | 5.0-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
195 kW at 5200 rpm | 430 Nm at 3600 rpm |
| 5.7-litre petrol V8 | 6sp man., 4sp auto |
220 kW at 5600 rpm | 473 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VT.I Senator included dual front airbags, ABS and front seatbelt pretensioners.
Brakes
The VT Senator had 296 mm by 28 mm ventilated front discs with twin piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear discs with single piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the VT.I Senator included 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 ZR17 Bridgestone tyres, eight speaker sound system with a CD player and ten-disc CD changer, air conditioning, leather upholstery, contoured front sports seats with four-way power adjustment, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.
1998 HSV Senator 10th Anniversary edition
In March 1998, a 10th Anniversary edition Senator was released. Production was limited to ten (10) units and its modified 5.7-litre V8 engine produced peak power and torque of 230 kW at 4800 rpm and 500 Nm at 3600 rpm. Compared to the standard Senator, standard features were extended to include two-tone leather upholstery and a power-operated glass sunroof.
HSV VT.II Senator (1999-00)
Overview
Released in June 1999, the VT Series II (VT.II) Senator introduced the 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engine and a revised range which consisted solely of Senator Signature models; as before, wagon models were solely available with automatic transmissions. Furthermore, the ‘Luxury’ suspension was retuned with reduced height variable rate front springs, though the variable rate rear springs and Monroe Sensatrac dampers continued as per the VT.I Senator.
LS1 V8 engine
The all-aluminium 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had a 99 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 10.0:1 and a 6000 rpm redline. For the HSV range, there was also a 57 mm stainless steel big bore extractor exhaust system which fed into 1.8-litre low back-pressure catalytic converters and low-restriction HSV mufflers. Although calibrated to run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP), the LS1 engine could also run on 91 RON unleaded petrol with a small loss in power.
The LS1’s aluminium cylinder block assembly weighed 48.85 kg, resulting in a 40 kg weight saving relative to its cast-iron predecessor.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senator Signature | 5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8 | 6sp man., 4sp auto |
250 kW at 5600 rpm | 473 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its VT.I predecessor, standard safety equipment was extended to include front side airbags; models with automatic transmissions were also fitted with traction control.
Features
Inside, the VT.II Senator Signature had a new instrument panel surround with darker woodgrain and Light Shale leather seat trim; standard features were also extended to include climate control air conditioning.
Related links
