Yep, The Spelling Is Unique, And So Is GMC’s 13-Second Production-Built Mini-Truck

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Stop! Hold it! If you’re a true high-performance enthusiast, don’t even think about turning the page until you’ve read more! Because this isn’t just another truck feature. In fact, this is a story that could change your life dramatically–especially if you’re in the market for a ZR-1 Corvette and don’t have the money.
Now that we’ve got your attention, we’d like to introduce to you the baddest, raddest production pickup truck built on the planet! “Oh, sure,” you’re probably thinking. “It’s just another mini-truck with a ground-effects package” or “Just another dealer promotion with a rebate” or “Just another excuse to sell the same truck.”

Wrong again.

The GMC Syclone is more than a repackaged S-15 pickup. It’s actually a repackaged Corvette–designed for the express purpose of fooling the cops, parents and especially insurance companies. Under the trick skin lies a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 with enough power literally to waste anything that dares get alongside of it. Offering up an astounding 280 horse power at 4400rpm and 360 foot-pounds of torque at 3600rpm, you get the feeling that a bunch of Hi-po happy engineers at Buick jumped ship and came over to GMC just for an opportunity to go fast again. (You do remember the Grand National, don’t you?)

Actually, the Syclone was developed by only a handful of young, enthusiastic engineers at CMC truck who somehow managed to get past the bean counters and the legal departments to come up with a package that will undoubtedly send the division to new heights before the end of ’91.

While the Syclone packs a wallop under the hood, you can be sure the rest of the package offers a perfect balance of stability and comfort at any speed. The engine, backed by a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and 3.42-geared limited-slip rear axle gets a full complement of handling goodies including four-wheel ant-lock disc brakes and an all-wheel-drive transfer case borrowed from the Safari van lineup. Combined with the lower ride height, 32mm sway bar and a set of Firestone P245-50VR-16 rubber, the Syclone’s handling and braking abilities match that of its raw acceleration nature.

Speaking of acceleration, this truck produces the kind of performance that even Chevy’s mega-buck, try-and-get-it-insured ZR-1 can’t keep up with. How about zero-to-60 marks at five seconds flat, and quarter-mile figures like 13.16 at 100mph? Here’s some more good news. Unlike some of GM’s limited-production street missiles, GMC has every intention of mass-producing enough Syclones so street freaks from coast to coast won’t have to worry about price gouging. Selling for around $23,000 to $25,000 (we’re still waiting for the final pricing information), it’s the performance enthusiast’s dream ride for sure!