From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chrysler Sigma
Chrysler Sigma
Chrysler Sigma
Manufacturer Chrysler Australia
Mitsubishi Motors Australia
1977–1980 Chrysler Sigma (GE) SE sedan
Also called Mitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Sigma
Lonsdale YD41/YD45 el was the Sigma GL and came standard with the Astron
(1.85- or 2.0-litre) and four-speed manual. The top-line
Production 1977–1980 (Chrysler)
model was the Sigma SE and was initially only available
1980–1987 (Mitsubishi)
with the Astron 2000 with three-speed automatic. It had
Assembly Lonsdale, South Australia, Australia equipment levels never seen before at the time including
Predecessor Chrysler Galant reclining rear seats.
In March 1978 an imported two-door coupe version
Successor Mitsubishi Magna called the Sigma Scorpion was released based on the Mit-
Class Mid-size car subishi Galant Lambda, and six months later a station
wagon variant was added across the whole range.
Body style 2-door coupé
A five-speed manual was offered as standard only on
4-door sedan
5-door station wagon the SE from 1979 and in January 1980 the 2.6-litre Astron
was released and was available as an option in GL and
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive SE trim. The 2.6 was noted to be the most smoothest
Engine 1.6 L Saturn I4 and most powerful Australian-built four-cylinder engine
/1.85 L I4 in its day and being renowned for its low-end torque,
2.0 L I4 producing 73 kilowatts (98 hp) at 4,800 rpm and 188 N·m
2.0 L I4 turbo (139 lb·ft) at 2,400 rpm. Offering performance closer to
2.6 L Astron I4
that of larger six-cylinder cars, contemporary compar-
isons of the 2.6 against other four-cylinder cars showed
The Chrysler Sigma is a version of the Mitsubishi Galant
that it could outpace its locally built four-cylinder com-
automobile that was built by Chrysler Australia in Ade-
petitors. It would be this engine that would also see ser-
laide from 1977. When Mitsubishi Motors Australia
vice in Australia in both carburettor (and electronic fuel
(MMAL) took over Chrysler Australia’s manufacturing fa-
injection from 1987) with the Magna range, the Triton
cilities in 1980, they renamed the vehicle the Mitsubishi
commercial range and the Pajero four-wheel drive up un-
Sigma.
Sigma The range was discontinued in 1987, and replaced
til 1996.
by the Mitsubishi Magna.
GH (1980–1982)
First generation Released in May 1980, the GH series saw a considerable
facelift on both front and rear ends. While it was only
GE (1977–1980) introduced to Australia in 1980, the facelift actually ap-
The first Australian-built Sigmas were released in Octo- peared on the Japanese home market Galant models and
ber 1977 to replace the outgoing GD series Galant and on New Zealand assembled Mitsubishi Sigma models in
were badged as Chryslers. The GE series Sigma was the 1979. The mechanical layout was as before except for the
first to introduce the Australian market to the Astron en- deletion of the 1.85-litre engine. The base model was now
gine range; the 1.6-litre Saturn engine was also available simply called "Sigma" instead of "Sigma Galant" to avoid
in the base model Sigma Galant. The mid-range mod- confusion with the previous Mitsubishi Galant.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chrysler Sigma
1980–1982 Mitsubishi Sigma (GH) GL sedan 1982–1983 Mitsubishi Sigma (GJ) SE station wagon
only from the firewall forward—the rest of the bodyshell
was still GH based. Engine and transmission offerings re-
mained as before, but received power and torque boosts;
the 2.0-litre now produced 70 kilowatts (94 hp) and
152 N·m (112 lb·ft) and the 2.6-litre 76 kilowatts (102 hp)
and 192 N·m (142 lb·ft).
1981 Mitsubishi Sigma (GH) GLX Peter Wherrett sedan interior
A GLX model was placed between GL and SE level and
1982–1984 Mitsubishi Sigma (GJ) SE sedan
was advertised as a "sports pack". A limited run of 1,016
"Peter Wherrett" editions of the GLX were built (option
A sporting model, the Sigma GSR, was also released
A05), named after Australian motoring journalist Peter
with either 2.0 or 2.6-litre engines offered with either au-
Wherrett who was given the task of improving the han-
tomatic or manual transmissions. Features included alloy
dling of the Sigma by Mitsubishi Motors Australia after
wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, a sports steering wheel
complaining about it. The improvements included 15 × 6
and blackouts, particularly on the window frames and
Globe "Montego" alloy wheels fitted with Pirelli P6 tyres,
doorhandles.
Recaro seats, Momo steering wheel, Sonic extractors, as
June 1983 saw the entry-level Sigma rebadged as the
well as lowered coil springs and Bilstein shock absorbers.
Sigma XL, to coincide with the trims on MMAL’s small
In October 1980 the range was rebadged from
car, the Colt.
"Chrysler Sigma" to "Mitsubishi Sigma", due to Mit-
October 1983 saw the release of the luxurious Sigma
subishi buying out Chrysler Australia’s operations. In
"Super Saloon" which, placed above the SE trim level,
September 1981, in partnership with turbocharger spe-
came only with the 2.6-litre in either five-speed manual
cialists Normalair-Garrett, Mitsubishi produced a limited
or three-speed automatic. Upmarket features of this
run of 500 Sigma Turbos, the first Australian-built tur-
model included alloy wheels, interior trim more plusher
bocharged production car. The forced-induction 2.0-litre
than the SE’s (even in the boot which was fully lined),
Astron powerplant produced 116 kilowatts (156 hp) and
power windows, air conditioning, power steering, addi-
235 newton metres (173 lb·ft).
tional interior lighting (glove compartment, door, and
This generation was discontinued in February 1982.
overhead reading lamps) and additional storage com-
partments. Two tone paint was also a feature of this mod-
Second generation el, notable colour combinations being metallic light-dark
blue and light-dark brown.
GJ (1982–1984) The GJ series Sigma had the distinction of being the
only Australian car during the 1980s to be exported to
The redesigned GJ Sigma was released in March 1982,
Europe (Chrysler previously did this with the Australian
based on the 1980 Japanese domestic market Mitsubishi
Valiant). The car was sold in the United Kingdom, in both
Galant. While a complete redevelopment was done for
sedan and wagon models, under the marque Lonsdale.
the sedan models, the wagon models in fact were new
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chrysler Sigma
GK (1984–1985) As for the mechanics of the car, the GK was un-
changed from the GJ, while the SE model featured rear
disc brakes as standard. The GSR received a sportier front
air dam, rear spoiler and 15 inch alloy wheels and was on-
ly available with the 2.6-litre engine and five-speed man-
ual transmission. The GSR Sigma also had a sports steer-
ing wheel, black door frames and door handles and came
standard with rear disc brakes.
1984–1985 Mitsubishi Sigma (GK) GL sedan
GN (1985–1987)
Released in July 1985, the GN was an update, but also a
The GK Series was released in March 1984. It was a com- rationalization of the previous Sigma range due to only
prehensive facelift, both outside and in. Externally the being offered in GL trim. The range was rationalized due
GK was changed by having a new bonnet and a shallower to the April 1985 release of the Mitsubishi Magna front-
grille, while at the rear new taillight clusters (which had wheel drive range, which was developed eventually to re-
actually appeared in certain overseas markets in 1982) place the Sigma in Australia.
and rear valence were fitted, the registration plate being The GN range had a number of external trim changes
relocated below the bumper. Internally the specifications over its predecessors, notably a black trim line around
and trim of the models had changed. Seats were different the base of the body, and the deletion of the wrap-round
in certain models, particularly the GL, and all models had chrome strip seen on the previous model. The grille was
the option of power windows (although rare), an option remodelled, resembling the SE grille of the previous
not available in most previous models. model, and new hubcaps were used with alloy wheels
from the previous SE models optional. The largest change
however, concerned the wagon models. To freshen the
model before the impending release of the Magna wagon
(which was being developed at that time, for a 1987 re-
lease), a new higher roof (dubbed "high roof") was de-
veloped for the car, which helped to improve the car’s
overall cabin space. It gave the wagon a unique appear-
ance from its predecessors, particularly as it incorporat-
ed a roof-mounted spoiler.
The "high roof" Sigma wagon was an export model
for MMAL. During 1986–1987 station wagons were
shipped to New Zealand, due to that market’s demand
1984–1985 Mitsubishi Sigma (GK) Satellite sedan for wagon models. Although they were of a previous gen-
eration to the front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Sigma sedan
The Sigma XL was the entry-level model of the range (which was similar, but of a narrower bodyshell to the
and came with either the 1.6 or 2.0-litre engines. In the Magna, and fitted with smaller engines) range being sold
SE, velour seats with lumber control, adjustable head- in New Zealand, they proved popular, particularly with
rests and a fold-down rear seat armrest with boot access fleets.
were fitted. Reading lights incorporated into the roof- Engine-wise, the GN sigma was offered either with
mounted dome light and built into the rear pillars were the Astron 2.0-litre (70 kilowatts (94 hp) at 5,600 rpm and
now a stock feature on the SE model Sigma. Power assist- 152 N·m (112 lb·ft) at 2,400 rpm) or the Astron II 2.6-litre
ed steering was also an option along with electric win- (83 kilowatts (111 hp) at 5,200 rpm and 200 N·m (150 lb·ft)
dows. The SE model sigma had stock dual line striping at 2,400 rpm) units. The Astron II had a few changes over
around the car, with chrome bonnet indicators. the previous models, notably a newly designed head with
Chrome detailing (around gauges and air vents, hydraulic tappets (replacing the manual tappets in previ-
which often had a tendency to peel off) was replaced by ous Astrons) and flat-top pistons. The oil pressure switch
black painting, and the door trim was now two-tone in was now located at the rear of the cylinder block. In De-
certain models. A few other slight changes were includ- cember 1985 the 2.0-litre versions were dropped, as Mit-
ed in the GK sigma, for example, the boot was fully lined subishi did not believe it warranted the conversion to un-
with carpet and also featured a plastic protector for the leaded fuel. Unleaded was introduced in Australia in Jan-
lights. A painted boot with only base carpet was used in uary 1986.
the GN sigma, with no plastic light protector. Also, red
courtesy lights were built into the bottom of the doors on
the SE model.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chrysler Sigma
This final generation of the Sigma ceased production
in early 1987, due to the release of the Magna wagon
models, completing the overall Magna range.
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Categories:
• Chrysler vehicles
• Cars of Australia
• Vehicles introduced in 1977
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