Vauxhall Senator 'B'
The Series 3 Senator or Senator 'B' was launched in the UK in May 1987. The original line-up was a 2.5i, 3.0i and high specification 3.0i CD. In October 1989, the 3.0i 24V CD was added to the range with a price premium of approximately £1800 over the 3.0i 12V CD. In 1991, the 2.5i engine was discontinued due to the introduction of catalytic converters across the range. This engine was replaced by the 2.6i engine which pushed out the same power with 'cats' as the, now, replaced 2.5i. In 1992 the base 3.0i was removed from the range and the 3.0i CD was discontinued in 1993 along with the base 2.6i. A new 2.6i CD was introduced and sold for a year. The 3.0i 24V CD was sold for a short period as the only model in the line up until the Senators replacement by the Omega in 1994.
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Interior Features
Details for the 2.5i and 3.0i were as the models stood in 1990. Details for the 2.6i were as the model stood in 1991. All the base models had an identical specification for the interior features.
Seats
- Kendal wool trim
- Open-type adjustable front & rear head restraints
- Fully reclining front seats with valances
- Height adjustable driver's seat
- Height adjustable front passenger's seat
- Front seats with two-way lumbar adjustment
- Front seat centre armrest
- Split-folding rear seat back
- Fold-down rear seat centre armrest with load-through facility
Facia, Instruments and Controls
- Colour-keyed facia with wood veneer inserts
- Rev counter, trip odometer, water temperature gauge, instrument panel light dimmer
- Multi-function check control warning panel and low fuel level warning light
- Lockable, illuminated glovebox.
- Quartz clock
Heating and Ventilation
- Air blend heater with 5-speed fan and illuminated controls
- Automatic temperature control with variable side-to-side settings
- Side window demist vents and adjustable face-level air vents
- Rear passenger compartment heating ducts
- Adjustable rear ventilation nozzles
Audio Equipment
- DC681 stereo radio/cassette player with security coding - 6 speakers
- Cassette storage area
- Electrically operated aerial
Interior Lighting
- Interior courtesy light, with delay cut-off, operated by front and rear door switches
- Adjustable map reading lights integral with courtesy light. Rear reading lights
- Illuminated boot and engine compartment
Additional Interior Features
- 5-position height adjustable inertia reel front/rear seat belts and centre static lap belt
- Front seat belt buckle mounted on seat frame
- Soft-feel tiltable front and rear assist handles with coat hooks
- Internal bonnet release, tiltable/illuminated fusebox, steering column lock
- Extensive sound insulation
- One piece soft touch moulded headlining, soft-feel A-pillar covers
- Leather covered handbrake handle/gaiter
- Velour carpet on rear parcel shelf, velour carpeted boot with sill protection, carpeted rear seat back
- Provision for load retention straps in boot
- Spare wheel cover
- Velour door trim panels with wood veneer inserts, carpeted front door pockets, continental-style front door armrests
- Illuminated front and rear cigar lighters, front ashtray with fingertip control and two rear ashtrays
- Fabric covered twin sunvisors, dipping rear view mirror
- Illuminated vanity mirror with cover for driver and front passenger
- Integrated centre console
- 4-spoke steering wheel
- Tiltable steering column
- Colour-keyed cut-pile velour carpet
Exterior Features
Mechanical
- 4-speed automatic transmission (on 2.5i)
- Computer-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission with economy , winter and sports driving modes
- Twin 3-way closed loop catalytic converters (NOT 2.5i)
- Speed-sensitive power assisted steering
- Electronic anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Multi-link independent rear suspension
Exterior Lighting
- Halogen headlamps with dim-dip facility. Parking lights
- Dark-style rear lamps
- Lights-on warning buzzer
- Twin reversing lights
- Twin rear fog lamps
- Hazard warning lights
- Side repeat indicators
- Electric headlamp levelling system
- Integral halogen front foglamps
- Long range halogen driving lights with headlamps
- Headlamp wash/wipe
- Kerb illumination door lights and door-open warning lights
Exterior Styling
- Dark grey bumpers and side protection mouldings with bright insert
- Body colour front and rear under bumper valance, lower part of valance in black
- Aerodynamic sill mouldings in grey, bootlid spoiler with bright insert
- Body colour door mirror housings
- Double coachline stripe
Wheels & Tyres
- Low profile tyres
- Flush wheel covers
Additional Exterior Features
- Laminated windscreen with graduated tint shadeband
- Green tinted glass all round
- Electrically operated front and rear windows with one touch operation
- Auto-reverse safety facility for electrically operated windows
- Central locking (doors, boot/tailgate, fuel flap) with security deadlock and torch key
- Manual sliding/tiltable glass sunroof with interior blind
- Heated rear window with automatic timed cut-off
- Heated twin jet windscreen washer nozzles
- Twin electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors
- 2-speed windscreen wipers plus intermittent and flick wipe. Electric screenwash
- Boot pushlock
- Twin gas assisted bonnet struts
- 2-tone horn
Colours and Trims
The following colours and trims were available for the base level Senator (details taken from the 1991 brochure):
EXTERIOR COLOURS | TRIM COLOURS |
Solid Colours | |
Glacier White | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Regency Blue | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Mexico Red | Beige Kendal Wool Trim |
Two-coat Metallic Colours | |
Star Silver | Anthracite Kendal Wool Trim |
Westminster Blue | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Haze Blue | Blue Kendal Wool Trim |
Mistral Grey | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Two-coat Pearlescent Colours | |
Rembrandt Silver | Anthracite Kendal Wool Trim |
Diamond Black | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Spectral Blue | Beige Kendal Wool Trim |
Bordeaux Red | Grey Kendal Wool Trim |
Options and Prices
Options
5-speed manual transmission (no cost option) |
Cruise control |
Electric operation of sunroof |
Blaupunkt Memphis and CDP09 audio equipment |
Air conditioning |
Seven function trip computer |
Heated front seats |
Spoked front alloy wheels with anti-theft centre caps |
Electronic ride control |
Limited slip differential (NOT 2.5i) |
Security alarm system |
Two-coat metallic paint |
Two-coat pearlescent paint |
Prices
These are the prices of the Senator saloon and estate and the dates from which they were valid.
Senator 2.6i | Saloon |
September 1990 | £19,920 |
October 1991 | £21,130 |
October 1992 | £22,630 |
Senator 3.0i | Saloon |
September 1987 | £19,940 |
September 1990 | £22,214 |
October 1991 | £22,815 |
Technical Specifications
Engine
2.5i (2490cc) producing 140PS (103kW) @ 5200 rpm and 151.2 lb.ft. (205Nm) of torque @ 4200 rpm. 6-cylinder, cam-in-head, hydraulic tappets, temperature-controlled viscous drive cooling fan, 12 crankshaft counterbalance weights. Bosch LE2 Jetronic fuel injection system. Deceleration fuel cut-off. Idle air control. Electronic breakerless ignition with electronic ignition timing. Compression ratio 9.2:1.
2.6i (2594cc) Cat generating 150 PS (110kW) @ 5600 rpm and 162.3 lb.ft. (220Nm) of torque @ 3600 rpm. 6-cylinder, cam-in-head, Dual Ram intake system, hydraulic tappets and temperature-controlled viscous drive cooling fan. Motronic M1.5 engine management system. Activated charcoal evaporation control canister. Two ceramic monolith 3-way catlytic converters and Lambda sensor. Compression ratio 9.2:1.
3.0i (2969cc) producing 177PS (130kW) @ 5800 rpm and 177.0 lb.ft. (240Nm) of torque @ 4200 rpm. 6-cylinder, cam-in-head, hydraulic tappets ,temperature-controlled viscous drive cooling fan, 12 crankshaft counterbalance weights, thermostatically controlled engine oil cooler. Bosch Motronic fuel injection system. Computer controlled multi-point fuel injection and ignition. Two ceramic monolith 3-way catlytic converters and Lambda sensor. Compression ratio 9.2:1.
Transmission
TYPE |
CLUTCH DIAMETER | GEAR RATIOS | FINAL DRIVE RATIOS | |||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Rev. | |||
2.5 Manual | 240 mm | 3.95:1 | 2.19:1 | 1.39:1 | 1.00:1 | 0.84:1 | 3.53:1 | 3.45:1 |
2.6/3.0 Manual | 240 mm | 3.95:1 | 2.19:1 | 1.39:1 | 1.00:1 | 0.84:1 | 3.53:1 | 3.70:1 |
Automatic | - | 2.40:1 | 1.48:1 | 1.00:1 | 0.72:1 | - | 1.92:1 | 3.70:1 |
4-speed automatic transmission, with fuel saving lock-up clutch fitted as standard on Senator 2.5i. Computer-controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, with three different operating modes for sport, economy and winter driving, standard on Senator 2.6i and Senator 3.0i (not available on Senator 2.5i). 5-speed manual gearbox with mechanical asbestos-free, single plate clutch.
Suspension
Front: Independent. MacPherson struts with damper cartridge, coil springs. Anti-roll bar. Negative scrub. Gas pressure dampers.
Rear: Independent. Multi-link suspension system with progressive rate miniblock coil springs with telescopic gas pressure dampers. Anti-roll bar.
Brakes
Dual circuit, servo assisted.
Front: 11.0 inch diameter discs
Rear: 10.6 inch diameter discs
Ventilated front discs. Asbestos-free brake pads. Handbrake-on and low brake fluid warning light. Front brake pad wear warning light. Plastic coated brake pipes. Electronic antilock braking system (ABS).
Electrics
70 amp alternator
55 Ah maintenance-free battery
Boot Capacity (VDA method)
18.7 cu. ft.
Performance & Fuel Economy
Model |
Transmission |
PERFORMANCE |
FUEL ECONOMY mpg (litres/100km) |
|||
Maximum Speed (mph) | Acceleration 0-62mph (s) | Simulated urban driving | Constant 56mph | Constant 75mph | ||
2.5i | 5-speed manual | 130 | unknown | 20.5 (13.8) | 40.4 (7.0) | 32.8 (8.6) |
2.5i | 4-speed automatic | 124 | unknown | 20.5 (13.8) | 40.4 (7.0) | 32.8 (8.6) |
2.6i Cat. | 5-speed manual | 132 | 10.3 | 20.0 (14.1) | 36.7 (7.7) | 30.1 (9.4) |
2.6i Cat. | 4-speed automatic | 129 | 11.3 | 19.5 (14.5) | 36.7 (7.7) | 30.1 (9.4) |
3.0i Cat. | 5-speed manual | 140 | unknown | 18.1 (15.6) | 35.8 (7.9) | 29.4 (9.6) |
3.0i Cat. | 4-speed automatic | 134 | unknown | 18.6 (15.2) | 38.2 (7.4) | 31.4 (9.0) |
Weights & Towing Data
Kerbweight (kg) | Gross vehicle weight (kg) | Max. roof rack load (kg) | Maximum towing weights (kg) | Max trailer noseweight load (kg) | Rear overhang (metres) | Speed (mph) per 1000rpm manual transmission | ||||||
Trailer with brakes | Trailer without brakes | |||||||||||
Man | Auto | Man | Auto | Man | Auto | 4th | 5th | |||||
2.5i | 1425 | 1445 | 1985 | 1985 | 100 | 1700 | 1500 | 720 | 75 | 1.18 | 21.3 | 25.4 |
2.6i | 1425 | 1445 | 1985 | 1985 | 100 | 1700 | 1700 | 720 | 75 | 1.18 | 19.9 | 23.7 |
3.0i | 1425 | 1445 | 1985 | 1985 | 100 | 1700 | 1700 | 720 | 75 | 1.18 | 19.9 | 23.7 |
Wheels
6J x 15 steel wheels with flush wheel covers
Tyres
205/65 VR 15 low profile
Fuel Capacities
16.5 Imperial Gallons (75 litres)
Steering
ZF Servotronic speed sensitive power assisted recirculating ball system.
Energy absorbing steering column.
3.2 turns lock-to-lock.
Turning circle - 10.1m (33.1 ft)
Body
Aerodynamic drag co-efficients:
Saloon - Cd 0.30
All steel body with extensive anti-corrosion protection. Safety crumple zones, front and rear. Rigid passenger safety cell. Concealed windscreen wipers. Flush fitting glass all-round. Flush door handles. Concealed front towing eye. Single two-way key operated locks and ignition. Burst proof door locks. Child-proof rear door locks. Polypropylene front bumper/valance and rear bumper capable of withstanding impacts up to 2.5mph without permanent damage.
Anti-Corrosion Protection
Partial use of zinc-coated sheet metal, zinc phosphated bodyshell primered electrostatically (cathodic). All weld seams and joints sealed with special compound. Areas prone to stone damage on underbody coated with stone-impact primer. Anti-corrosion primers used extensively on bonnet, boot lid, tailgate, doors, wings and other panels. Paint finish applied electrostatically. PVC coating applied to wheelarches and other underbody areas. Polymer reinforced anti-corrosion wax pumped into door sills and other underbody cavities. Plastic front wheelarch liners.
Audio
Philips DC681 stereo radio/cassette player
- 4 figure security burnt in memory chip
- Microprocessor-controlled quartz tuning
- 20 station electronic memory
- Additional 10 station autostore memory
- Transflective liquid crystal display for frequency, waveband, preset number, FM stereo mode and FM signal strength
- Automatic three-level search tuning for all wavebands
- Up/down manual tuning
- Single button station storage with confirmatory (bleep) signal
- Loudness button
- Stereo/mono mode button
- Autoreverse stereo cassette deck with LCD tape direction indicator
- Manual tape direction reverse facility
- Radio reception during fast forward and rewind
- Auto cassette insertion with auto start
- Auto replay after fast wind to end of tape
- Dolby noise reduction system
- ESC Electronic Speed Control
- Metal and Chrome tape facility
- Autostop: tape 'salad' protection
- Electronic volume control and desired setting memory by means of large revolving commutator
- Illumination of radio controls with car lights on