Space, comfort in Sigma

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 27

Space, comfort in Sigma

By

JOHN FRIDD,

motoring editor

Many people with large families who are finding six and eight-cylinder car expensive to run are turning to four-cylindc waggons. The two-litre waggon market has become an important force on the medium-sized car market, and .some nicelyappointed waggons are available. One of these is the Mitsubishi Galant Sigma estate, and last week-end I put one through its paces.

The waggon seems to handle just as well as the Sigma sedan, its four-link coil-spring set-up at the rear soaking up bumps well and keeping the rear of the car on line. The only disadvantage of the firm suspension is the thumping produced by qity-street potholes. the waggon is powered by Mitsubishi’s excellent 1995 cu cm “silent-shaft” motor which provides plenty of power as well as torque.

The estate has the same five-forward-speed gearbox as the two-litre Sigma sedan, and this proved slick and positive.

In fifth gear on the open road the car purrs along, with only a hint of road noise in the rear, which used to be the norm on waggons but has now been designed out of many.

The Sigma waggon’s cloth-trimmed rear bench seat offers adequate room for three adults if the front seat occupants are preared to co-operate . a little, and the rear seat folds down flat to create a very practical carrying space in the rear. The wheel arches do not intrude on the space to any

great extent and the floor is braced for extra-heavy loads. Flush-mounted hinges on the rear door mean that high boxes can be carried. The Sigma’s motor has

ample power and torque to tow a small caravan or hoat comfortably and the fifth gear ensures that, it will return good economy if driven sensibly. In its basic form the Sigma waggon sells for

! SI 1,765. Its rivals include r the ’ Datsun’ 200B' waggon J ($11,795). Cortina 2.0 : waggon ($11,395) and the ’ 1800 cu cm Toyota Corona XT waggon ($11,000). s (Test car from Cooper Hendersons).