Review: HSV Senator vs Chrysler 300C SRT8

[JoeT]

Tough Torque: HSV Senator vs Chrysler 300C SRT8

Joshua Dowling
26 May 2006
www.drive.com.au

A new American performance sedan aims to knock the local hero off its perch. Joshua Dowling steps in to adjudicate.

Australian performance sedans are like football players in suits. They are big and a little rough around the edges, but they spruce up all right.

Holden Special Vehicles has refined the formula over the past two decades. After starting out by simply adding a bodykit (the shoulder pads of the automotive industry) and wheels (shiny shoes), the cars have reached a new level of refinement. It is as if they have gone to finishing school.

HSV has long been regarded as the benchmark of the locals. Ford has made three attempts - under three brand names - at the Australian performance sedan formula over the past 10 years, Ford Performance Vehicles has finally turned the corner and is building some world-class cars (of particular note is the turbo charged and appropriately-named Typhoon), but HSV still has the bragging rights in outright power and acceleration.

Which is why HSV has been able to hold its head proud and walk around with its chest out and arms bent out - ape-like - as if carrying invisible parcels. But HSV's bullish demeanour could be about to change. There is a new bloke in town. HSV isn't the type to show its nerves, but it is fair to say that it has been keeping an eye on the new challenger.

There is good reason. If HSV is a rugby league star, the new bloke is an American gridiron player trying to make a name for himself. As with many out-of-towners, there is a fair amount of interest from the punters in this bulky looking fella with the funny accent called the Chrysler 300C SRT-8. That name means nothing now, but give it time.

The backgrounds of both players are similar. Both started life as everyday sedans that went to training camp to get match-fit.

In many ways, bringing the HSV Senator face to face with the SRT8 is like putting Anthony Mundine and Danny Green in the boxing ring together. One is the underdog who fought his way to the top after surviving on scraps, the other is the offspring of a much bigger budget allocation, with impeccable form. Game on.


Chrysler 300C SRT8

If you have not heard of the Chrysler 300C before, chances are you have seen one in music videos and movies. It is a "pimp-mobile", and it has hip-hop artists and Hollywood actors in a spin.

Find the rest of the Chrysler 300C SRT8 review here.


HSV Skaife Senator

The price, size and power of these two sedans may be similar but in many ways the playing field is not level. The Z Series HSV range is nearing the end of the road. After nine years, the last of the current generation Commodores is going down the production line. A closer battle will be with the next generation E Series Senator, due September.

Find the rest of the HSV Skaife Senator review here.


Verdict

To continue the football analogy, the Senator is a player who has come from the little league to the big time. It has no shortage of grunt and it plays hard. But the SRT8 is a more polished and better prepared opponent. The SRT8 is the result of a much bigger development budget - a footy player with a tertiary education, a complete package. The good news is that the SRT8 is a worthy benchmark and can only serve to make local performance car makers raise their standards in every area. The real test will come with the next-generation Senator later in the year. Bring on round two.


Chrysler 300C SRT8

Price: $71,990
Engine: 6.1-litre V8
Power: 317kW
Torque: 569Nm
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Weight: 1965 kg
Claimed 0-100km/h: 5.5 seconds
Test: 0-100kmh 5.2 seconds
Fuel rating label: 14 litres/100km


HSV Skaife Senator

Price: $72,390
Engine: 6.0-litre V8
Power: 297kW
Torque: 530Nm
Gearbox: Four-speed automatic
Weight: 1735 kg
Claimed 0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds
Test: 0-100kmh 5.5 seconds
Fuel rating label: 13.5 litres/100km

$1.00 Aust = $0.76 US 26/05/06

[mbukukanyau]

The ausies are awake...
Te he he

[jlt0x]

Why did it take this long to compary the two? Too bad the Senator is nearing the end of its model life and the 300C SRT8 is in the middle.

[FISH]

Because the SRT-8 only just arrived in Australia.

[tgagneguam]

...The good news is that the SRT8 is a worthy benchmark and can only serve to make local performance car makers raise their standards in every area...

This seems to be the real point of the article. The addition of competition is usually a welcome thing... and it helps to keep the General on its toes.

I'm hoping that the next generation HSV Senator stacks up better, though it would appear that the current generation didn't fare so poorly in this comparison. Holden needs to raise the bar, not just meet it.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by tgagneguam

This seems to be the real point of the article. The addition of competition is usually a welcome thing... and it helps to keep the General on its toes.

I'm hoping that the next generation HSV Senator stacks up better, though it would appear that the current generation didn't fare so poorly in this comparison. Holden needs to raise the bar, not just meet it.

Good point. I think that will make them look even more forward to getting the next the VE/Zeta platform sorted and on the market!

[TaHoE]

Both cars are VERY attractive.

[68Vette]

Originally Posted by JoeT

Tough Torque: HSV Senator vs Chrysler 300C SRT8

The real test will come with the next-generation Senator later in the year. Bring on round two.

Hopefully HSV will land a one-two punch and it will be goodnight Irene!!!

[asim]

Will they get the updated interior coming for 2007 that we are getting here in NA?

[johnny smallblock]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

Both cars are VERY attractive.

I don't think much of the looks of the Senator. Like the GTO, it just seems bland.

[Sporer65]

Man, I wish I lived in Australia and had some money. Both are really nice cars, is the 6.0 in the HSV a LS2 or the Vortec.

[toronado10]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

I don't think much of the looks of the Senator. Like the GTO, it just seems bland.

It looks bland to us in the states, but it may seem more attractive to Australians. Everybody has different tastes. Look how different the Chinese Buicks look to their NA equivalents.

[mikmak]

I find the Chrysler design pretty ordinary actually. It has visual impact but little longevity IMO. Thats not just sour grapes. I actually sat in one and touched, opened and closed everything. It will be passe in another 6 months. I think its already there. It will no doubt be a minor classic like the V8 Leyland P-76.

[mikmak]

I find the 300c SRT8 to be a little passe already. the design has little longevity. It will no doubt become a minor classic like the P76V8

[Aych Es Vee]

Rumors are for the next Senator/Clubsport/Maloo/Grange to be 425hp aswell.... so we'll see how that goes. But its meant to be heavier than the current one, so hmmmm....

either way, I REALLLLLLLLLY wish I could have both cars in my garage.


Australia and America really know how to make BEASTY cars..... when you bring them together, its just a jaw dropping experience for me.