HSV knows how to sell sedans and utes, but it has never been much chop at wagons. This time it's serious with a new more agile family hauler that promises to be much more popular. While previous wagons were built on the longer base which meant a less agile handler, the new one shares the same base as the VE Commodore sedan. It weighs an extra 100kg, but that is accounted for by the thunderous 6.2-litre LS3 V8 which produces a whopping 317kW and 550Nm of torque. Apart from its much more practical tail and a slightly different chassis tune, the Tourer is the same as the Clubsport R8. At $1000 more than the sedan, the new HSV wagon is likely to appeal to muscle car fans who would also like to share the fun with their family.
Senator Signature Estate
Released: March 1998
Ended: October 2000
Family Tree: TourerIF you ignore the Avalanche all-wheel-drive SUV from 2003, the last HSV wagon was the VT/VTII Senator Signature Estate. It was available with either the locally-made 5.0-litre V8 producing 195kW and 430Nm or the stroked 5.7-litre version with 220kW and 474Nm. HSV's website claimed at the time "Sometimes there's more to carry around than just you and your contented smile." Also available in 250kW/473Nm 5.7-litre Gen III VTII guise (from July 1999), the Senator Signature Estate was loaded with luxury gear including an all-leather interior, dual-zone climate control and a sunroof. It wasn't popular with customers and only 27 were sold.
Super Test
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