Chrysler Sigma
The Chrysler Sigma was a version of the Mitsubishi Galant , which in 1977 from Chrysler -Werk in Adelaide in Australia was made. When Mitsubishi took over this plant in 1980, the car was renamed Mitsubishi Sigma . In 1987 this model was discontinued; The successor was the Mitsubishi Magna .
Year by year
GE series (1977–1980)
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The first Sigma from Australia came onto the market in October 1977 and replaced the GD series of the Mitsubishi Galant, which was being phased out. They were initially provided with the Chrysler emblem. With the GE series, the new Mitsubishi Astron engine was introduced to the Australian market; the 1.6-liter Mitsubishi-Saturn machine was also available in the basic Sigma Galant model. The middle model was the Sigma GL , which came with the 1.85 and 2.0 liter Astron engines and a manual four-speed gearbox. The top model Sigma SE was initially only available with the Astron 2000 engine and three-stage automatic. It was luxuriously appointed with folding rear seats.
In March 1978 there was an imported 2-door coupe version called the Sigma Scorpion based on the Mitsubishi Sapporo , and six months later there was a station wagon for the whole range.
A manual five-speed gearbox was only available as basic equipment in the SE from 1979 and in January 1980 the 2.6-liter Astron engine was available as an option in the GL and SE versions. This engine was the smoothest and most powerful four-cylinder engine from Australian production and was known for its high torque; it developed 73 kW (99 hp) at 4800 rpm and had a torque of 188 Nm at 2400 rpm. This engine was also used in Australia in the Magna series and the Triton van series, as well as in the Pajero 4 × 4 until 1996.
The Sigma GE series was replaced by the revised GH series in May 1980.
GH series (1980–1982)
The GH series came in May 1980 and had been significantly redesigned at the front and rear compared to its predecessor. Interestingly, it did not appear in Australia until 1980, while the Mitsubishi Sigma GH series, assembled in the Japanese home market and New Zealand , were introduced as early as 1979.
The mechanics corresponded to the previous model with the exception of the 1.85-liter engine, which is no longer available. The basic model was now simply called Sigma instead of Sigma Galant to avoid confusion with the Mitsubishi Galant .
Between GL and SE there was still a GLX model that was offered as a sports package. There was a limited special edition Peter Wherrett , named after the Australian motor journalist of the same name, who was allowed to improve the handling of the Sigma at Mitsubishi Australia after complaining about it.
In October 1980, the Chrysler Sigma was renamed Mitsubishi Sigma after the Japanese had bought Chrysler's automotive activities in Australia.
In September 1981 Mitsubishi presented in collaboration with the turbocharger specialists Garrett a limited series of 500 Sigma Turbo ago, the first mass-Australia car with turbo engine. The turbocharged 2.0-liter Astron engine delivered 158 hp (116 kW) and 235 Nm of torque.
In February 1982 the GH series was discontinued.
GJ series (1982–1984)
The revised GJ series Sigma came out in March 1982 and was based on the 1980 Mitsubishi Galant for the Japanese market. They had received a facelift , with the combination models only being new at the front; from the bulkhead they still followed the GH standard.
The engines and transmissions corresponded to those of the previous model, the output was slightly higher: the 2.0-l now delivered 95 hp (70 kW) and 152 Nm and the 2.6-l 103 hp (76 kW) and 192 Nm.
A sports model, the Sigma GSR , was also offered with either the 2.0L or 2.6L engine and had either a manual or an automatic transmission. The equipment included aluminum wheels, disc brakes on all four wheels, a sports steering wheel and the black paintwork of the otherwise chrome-plated parts such as window frames and door handles.
In June 1983, the basic model was renamed Sigma XL so that the equipment designations matched the compact car of the group, the Mitsubishi Colt .
In October 1983 the luxurious Sigma Super Saloon was presented, which was to be classified above the equipment line SE; it came with the 2.6-liter engine and either a manual five-speed gearbox or a three-speed automatic. The luxury equipment included aluminum wheels, finer interior fittings than the SE (the trunk was lined with carpet), electric windows, air conditioning, power steering, additional interior lighting (glove compartment, door, reading lights) and additional storage compartments.
Two-tone paintwork was also part of the equipment of this model; special color combinations were light blue / dark blue metallic and light brown / dark brown.
The GJ-Series Sigma was the only Australian passenger car exported to Europe in the 1980s (Chrysler used to export the Australian Valiant ). The car was introduced in the UK as both a sedan and a station wagon under the brand name Lonsdale .
GK series (1984–1985)
The GK series was released in March 1984. It had been redesigned both inside and out.
On the outside, the GK had a new bonnet and a flatter radiator grille, as well as new taillights (which appeared in some markets as early as 1982) and a new rear apron, with the license plate now sitting below the rear bumper.
The interior of the models has been improved. The seats were different in some models (especially in the GL) and all models could be equipped with electric window regulators on request, which was also rare and not available in earlier models.
The basic Sigma XL model was delivered with a 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter engine.
The SE model had adjustable velor seats with adjustable headrests, rear armrests and foldable rear seat backrests.
The chrome trim rings on the instruments (which liked to peel off) were replaced with black paint, and the door panels were two-tone on some models.
Reading lights in the front center of the roof and on the C-pillars were now standard on the Sigma SE. Power steering and power windows were available on request. The SE models had a double line around the entire car and chrome frames on the rear indicators as standard.
There were a number of other changes in the Sigma GK, such as a complete lining of the trunk with carpet and plastic protectors for the lights. A lacquered trunk interior with only economical carpeting was delivered in the Sigma GN; The plastic protectors for the lamps were also missing. In the SE model, the doors also had red path lighting below.
Mechanically, the GK series corresponded to the GJ, only the SE models had rear disc brakes as basic equipment.
The GSR received sporty front and rear spoilers, as well as 15 ”aluminum wheels, and it was only available with the 2.6-liter engine and five-speed gearbox. The Sigma GSR also had a sports steering wheel, black door frames and door handles, and rear disc brakes.
GN series (1985–1987)
The facelift of the previous GK series appeared in July 1985 as the GN series and, compared to the previous models, was only available in the GL version. The model range was streamlined, since in April 1985 the new Mitsubishi Magna with front-wheel drive was presented, which should replace the Sigma in Australia.
Compared to its predecessor, the GN series had some changes in the exterior, in particular a matt black paintwork on the lower part of the body and the omission of the chrome strips on the previous models. The redesigned radiator grille was reminiscent of the earlier SE grille, there were new hubcaps and, as before with the SE models, aluminum wheels.
There were major changes to the station wagon models, as the Magna station wagon did not come onto the market until 1987, with a new higher roof line, which increased the interior of the car, and a rear spoiler mounted on it. In 1986 and 1987 these station wagons were also exported to New Zealand. Although they were old models versus the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Sigma sold in New Zealand (which was similar to the new Magna but narrower and had smaller engines), they sold reasonably well, especially for vehicle fleets.
The engine range of the Sigma of the GN series included the 2.0-liter Astron engine (70 kW / 95 PS at 5,600 / min and 152 Nm at 2,400 / min, compression ratio 9.5: 1) and the 2.6-liter -Astron II engine (83 kW / 113 PS at 5,200 rpm and 200 Nm at 2,400 rpm, compression ratio 8.8: 1). Compared to the earlier models, the Astron II engine had, among other things, a new cylinder head with automatic valve clearance compensation ( hydraulic valve lifters ) and flat pistons. The oil pressure switch was now on the back of the engine block. The 2.0-liter versions were discontinued in December 1985, as it was uneconomical for Mitsubishi to convert the old engines to unleaded gasoline in January 1986.
The last generation of the Sigma was discontinued at the beginning of 1987, as the new Magna station wagons were also presented and the full range of models was available.