Chrysler Sigma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chrysler Sigma was a version of the Mitsubishi Galant automobile built by Chrysler's Australian manufacturing facility in Adelaide from 1977. When Mitsubishi Motors took over the manufacturing facility in 1980, they renamed the vehicle the Mitsubishi Sigma. The range was discontinued in December 1987.
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[edit] GE Series
The first Australian-built Sigmas were released in October 1977 to replace the outgoing GD series Galant and were initially badged as Chryslers. The GE series Sigma was the first to introduce the Australian market to the 'Astron' engine range; the 1.6 L 'Saturn' engine was also available in the base model Sigma Galant. The mid-range model was the Sigma GL and came standard with the 'Astron' (1.85 L or 2.0 L) and 4-speed manual. The top-line model was the Sigma SE and was initially only available with the 'Astron 2000' and 3-speed automatic. It had equipment levels never heard of at the time including reclining rear seats.
In March 1978 a 2-door coupe version called the Sigma Scorpion was released based on the Mitsubishi Galant Lambda, and six months later a station wagon variant was added across the whole range.
A 5-speed manual was offered as standard only on the SE from 1979 and in January 1980 the 2.6 L 'Astron' was released and was available as an option in GL and SE trim, the 2.6 L was noted to be the most smoothest and most powerful Australian built four cylinder engine in its day and being renowned for its good low-end torque, producing 73 kW at 4800 rpm and 188 N·m at 2400 rpm. It was discontinued in May 1980.
[edit] GH Series
Released in May 1980, the GH series saw a considerable facelift on both front and rear ends. Mehanical layout was as before except for the deletion of the 1.85 L engine. The base model was now simply called 'Sigma' instead of 'Sigma Galant' to somewhat avoid confusion.
A GLX model was placed between GL and SE level and was advertised as a 'sports pack'. A limited run of 1000 "Peter Wherret" editions of the GLX were built, named after Australian motoring journalist Peter Wherrett who was given the task of improving the handling of the Sigma by Mitsubishi Motors Australia after complaining about it.
In September 1981, in partnership with turbocharger specialists Normalair-Garrett, Mitsubishi produced a limited run of 500 Sigma Turbos, the first Australian-built turbocharged production car. The forced-induction 2.0 L 'Astron' powerplant produced 116 kW and 235 N·m.
This generation was discontinued in February 1982.
[edit] GJ Series
The newly designed GJ Sigma was released in March 1982. Engine and transmission offerings remained as before, but received power and torque boosts; the 2.0 L now produced 70 kW and 152 N·m and the 2.6 L 76 kW and 192 N·m. The Sigma GSR was also released, becoming the new sports version of the range with either 2.0 L or 2.6 L engines offered with either automatic or manual transmissions.
the GSR sigma was stock with rear disk brakes and GJ mag wheels, at the time the GSR was realised the GJ mag wheels were not an option on the GJ and SE GJs. The chrome door handels where now black (later became stock in the GK and GN sigma) the door frames where also painted black. This car also featured a GSR sports steering wheel.
October 1983 also saw the release of the luxurious Sigma Super Saloon which, placed above the SE trim level, came only with the 2.6 L in either 5-speed manual or 3-speed auto and had electric windows and many other features such as reading lights, trays that stored away below the front seats, that feature didn't continue into the GK series. The Super Saloon also featured a two tone paint job, light blue for the top and dark blue for the bottom, this paint was matalic, it was also availbe in light and dark brown two-tone paint. The GK -SE- mag package was standard on the supersaloon, the 2.6 badge was also replaced with a Super Saloon badge.
the interior also had reading lights, Air Conditioning, Power steering, door curtiousy lights, glove box light. The boot was also fully lined with carpet and had the black light protector.
[edit] GK Series
The GK Series was released in March 1984. The main body shape remained the same, the changes to the GK Sigma were the chrome door handles were now Black, the interior trimming had now changed, the door trimming was now 2 different tones of brown, the door handle (inside) was of a different design and the chrome striping around the air vents and gauges was now painted black.
The GL model seats were now different to the GJ model, the new GK sigma now offed electric windows as an option, this option was not available on the previous GJ model. The SE model had fitted luxury velour seats with both front passenger and driver lumber control, adjustable head rests, rear seat middle arm rest and access to the boot via the rear seat.
Reading lights incorporated into the roof-mounted dome light and built into the rear pillars were now a stock feature on the SE model Sigma. Power assisted steering was also an option along with electric windows. The SE model sigma had stock dual line striping around the car, with chrome bonnet indicators.
A few other slight changes were included in the GK sigma, for example the boot was fully lined with carpet and also featured a plastic protector for the lights. A painted boot with only base carpet was used in the GN sigma, with no plastic light protector. Also red courtesy lights were built into the bottom of the doors on the SE model.
As for the mechanics for the car, the GK was unchanged to the GJ, while the SE model feature rear disc brakes.
There was also a XL model released. It is unsure when this model was realised and what features it boasted.
The GSR received a sportier front air dam, rear spoiler and 15 inch alloy wheels and was only available with the 2.6 L engine and 5-speed manual. The GSR Sigma also had a sports steering wheel, black door frames and door handles and came standard with rear disc brakes.
[edit] GN Series
Released in July 1985, the GN Sigma was now only offered in GL trim, possibly to avoid competition with its eventual successor,[citation needed] the Magna which started production in April the same year.
The exterior of the GN sigma now had a black line around the base of the vichael and lost the GJ and GK chrome strip. the front grill was also redesigned in the GN series. The GN had a new design of stock -GL- hubcaps, however the 14" alloy wheel package was available as an option, this was the same alloy wheel design released on the -SE- GK models.
The GN sigma was offered with the 2.0 L ASTRON engine [70 kW @ 5600 rpm and 152 N·m @ 2400 rpm compression ratio was 9.5:1] or the ASTRON II 2.6 L engine was available. [83 kW @ 5200 rpm and 200 N·m @ 2400 rpm, compression ratio was 8.8:1]
This series II engine had a few changes, such as the oil pressure switch being at the rear of the block, Flat top pistons where fitted with a newly designed head, the head now had hydralic tappets that replaced the manual ones in the ASTRON head.
The 2.0 L was dropped in the end of December 1985, as Mitsubishi did not believe it was necessary to convert it to unleaded fuel by January 1986.[citation needed]
The new "High Roof" station wagon received a higher roof, with a rear wing, to improve cabin space. This was the only Australian-built Sigma to be exported to New Zealand.
The final generation of the Sigma ceased production in December 1987.
