A New GMC Syclone? #blogpost
I’ve been thinking about how fast the GMC Syclone was for 1991. With its a Mitsubishi turbocharger and Garrett intercooler, its 4.3 L LB4 V6 was advertised as being capable of over 280 hp and 350 lb·ft of torque (dyno-tested numbers are closer to 300 hp and 400 lb·ft). It also had a custom Borg Warner 35/65 split transfer case and was the first production truck to have anti-lock brakes. With these innovations, it could do 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds and complete a quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds. Combining these with its 3550 lbs curb weight, it could outrun most supercars of the day, such as the Ferrari 348ts from the Car and Driver comparison.
But what if a truck was made like this today?
A Modern Syclone
The Modern Syclone's Competition
If GM created a new pickup that could outrun the newest supercars, it would be up against vehicles such as the Ferrari 488 GTB, Lamborghini Huracán, and McLaren 650S. All three have 0-60 times in the 3 second range and over 600 hp. An ATS-V engine swap wouldn’t cut it as it only makes 464 hp, and the ATS-V, which is hundreds of pounds lighter than the Canyon, is only capable of 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. A V8 would also most likely be too large to fit in the Canyon, and wouldn’t keep with the spirit of the original Syclone.
Swapping This In Would Not Be Enough
There’s also aerodynamic issues with the Canyon, as with the previous Syclone, with both being shaped like bricks. What do you believe it would take for a modern truck like the GMC Canyon to beat modern day supercars?
Comments
It would be most likley a new truck chassis would be built for the purpose of a cyclone to handle better, with a stronger body for less body roll, and the engine would have to be tuned up
It would really just be a case of gm making mostly new parts to fit such a truck
I feel like mini trucks could very much be on their way back. With both Ford and GM seeing how well the revived mid-sized truck market pays out, with both the new Colorado and Ranger selling really well, and Jeep about to bring back a mid sized truck, going smaller could be the next step in competition, taking the market who might not need the size of a truck or the MPGs of a SUV. A light, simple, and cheap minitruck could possibly be a good seller. Having said that, I don’t know how well a high performance option would do. It would probably be a loss leader meaning it wont likely be made.