GMC Syclone: The Granddaddy of Performance Pickups
When most people think of GMC, their minds are drawn to the brand’s impressively hard-working, durable, reliable trucks, not performance vehicles. The GMC Syclone was the exception.
As a brand, GMC prides itself on manufacturing durable, hard-working pickups that are ready to tackle any job. If you’ve only recently been brought into the GMC fold, you might find it hard to believe that in the 1990s, its performance truck, the GMC Syclone, could give a contemporary Ferrari a run for its money.
What Is the GMC Syclone?
This world-class muscle machine was fast, furious, and attention-grabbing. GMC manufactured the Syclone for two years, producing fewer than 3,000 in 1991 and shipping out three in 1992. As a result, this truck is something of a holy grail for collectors.
The GMC Syclone featured the same 4.3L Vortec V-6 the company used in its more common Sonoma. It was, however, a different beast entirely.
The turbocharger found in the GMC Syclone was the same one at the heart of the legendary 1980s Buick Grand National, and it pumped out 14 lbs of boost after being fed through a liquid intercooler to chill the air.
Officially, the Syclone produced 280 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque from the factory. Several decades later, when modern trucks like the GMC Sierra 1500 top out at 420 hp, that may not sound like much, but it was awe-inspiring for the time.
For perspective, the 1991 Corvette produced just 250 hp. Most experts also believe that GM underestimated the Syclone’s power in its official literature to avoid scaring away insurance companies, but that’s just speculation.
The Race of the Decade
The GMC Syclone had some serious tricks up its sleeve. A full-time AWD system borrowed from the Safari sent 65% of the engine’s power and torque to the rear, creating a small pickup that accelerated faster than some supercars.
Today, the GMC Hummer EV pickup makes 60 mph in an incredible 3 seconds, but that was unheard of in 1991. The Syclone did it in 4.3 and reached speeds of well over 100 mph within a quarter mile from a standing start.
In 1991, Car and Driver put the performance truck to the test against a Ferrari 348ts. Despite the Ferrari’s reputation and $122,000 price tag, the Syclone smoked it. Observers claimed it won out at the drag strip by at least three car lengths.
Can I Buy a GMC Syclone?
Today, the GMC Syclone is like the holy grail of performance pickups. You’ll have a hard time finding one for sale at any price. The good news is that there are modern GMC trucks that perform amazingly well.
You might not beat a contemporary Ferrari at the track, but a mid-size GMC Canyon can outperform any modern truck in its class in towing. The GMC Sierra has three iterations ranging from the full-size 1500 to the heavy-duty 3500HD.
GMC made waves three decades after the Syclone’s initial release with the GMC Hummer EV Truck, the company’s first EV pickup. If you want to find a thoroughly capable, durable, and stylish modern GMC truck, head to Ray Skillman Northeast Buick GMC.