GMC Syclone

The GMC Syclone is a high-performance version of the GMC Sonoma pickup truck. Produced in 1991

by GMC, the Syclone spawned the similarly powered 1992-1993 GMC Typhoon SUV. Another vehicle, the GMC Sonoma GT, offered less performance but was seen as a companion model. At the time it was introduced, the Syclone was the quickest stock pickup truck being produced in the world. Auto magazines compared its acceleration favorably to a variety of sports cars including the Corvette and - in a memorable comparison test in Car and Driver magazine - a Ferrari.[2] Featuring a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, all wheel drive, and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, the specifications had more in common with a Porsche than most other pickup trucks.

Both the Syclone and Typhoon trucks featured a Mitsubishi TD06-17C 8 cm² turbocharger[1] and Garrett water/air intercooler attached to a 4.3 L LB4 V6 engine with unique pistons, main caps, head gaskets, intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, and a 48mm twin bore throttle body from the 5.7 L GM Small-Block engine. All Syclones and Typhoons had a GM 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. A Borg Warner all wheel drive transfer case split torque with 35% forward and 65% to the rear wheels.[1] Both trucks featured sport modifications to the standard suspensions. The Syclone was the first production truck to receive a 4-wheel anti-lock braking system. Output was 280 hp (209 kW) and 350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m).[1] The Syclone, when new, was capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and could do a quarter-mile run in 13.4 seconds at 98 mph (158 km/h) according to Car & Driver's comparison test.

In 1991 Syclones were available in black only. 1992 models were to be offered in a wider range of colors before they were canceled. 2995 Syclones were built in 1991, and 3 in 1992. 113 (estimated 31 returned) were reported as Export Sales including a subset now referred to as the Saudi Syclones — a small number were delivered to Saudi Arabia and modified with a metric dash cluster, leaded fuel chip, and a resonator in place of the catalytic converter.

The Syclone, Typhoon, and Sonoma GT were built for GMC by Production Automotive Services of Troy, Michigan and sold through dealerships.

The Syclone and Typhoon's gauge cluster is the one used in the Pontiac Sunbird Turbo, which was discontinued in 1990, one year before the Syclone was introduced.

In 2009, a poor-condition GMC Syclone was scrapped under the Car Allowance Rebate System, despite being highly collectible,[3]although it was saved by a group of auto enthusiasts.