The world’s fastest pickups don’t have to be built for high speeds off-road, and this slick 2023 GMC Syclone concept shows us why.
Ever wondered why all the world’s fastest pickup trucks are big, beefy, and off-road oriented? Everything from the 2023 Ram 1500 TRX, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Rivian R1T are clearly geared towards high-speed desert runs. But we’re looking to tip the scales back to road-biased performance pickups with this modern GMC Syclone concept.
Created exclusively for HotCars by digital artist Timothy Adry Emmanuel, this 2023 GMC Syclone is for everyone out there who loves a fast pickup, but also loves the idea of being able to hustle it down the road. That’s something that trucks with all-terrain tires and lifted suspension are going to not want to do willingly. And, really, the original 1991 GMC Sierra Syclone paved the way for performance pickups in the first place, and is the best bet to bring back the tarmac-scorching variety of truck.
At its launch, it went on to become the world’s quickest pickup truck. Its 0-60 mph time sat between 4.3 seconds on a good day, to 4.6 seconds on a bad one. In the early 90s, if you were behind the wheel of a Syclone, that meant you were quicker than a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. And if you came across a Ferrari 348, you’d smoke it too. Now rocking good ol’ twin-turbocharged V8 power, this new Syclone certainly looks the part of reclaiming its throne as the quickest pickup in the world.
The 2023 GMC Syclone Is Built To Scorch Tarmac
At first glance, you may be tempted to call this re-imagined GMC Syclone a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 single cab, but sitting lower to the ground, with cosmetic upgrades (and hood scoops). But look a little closer and all the changes that have gone into this digital recreation of a modern Syclone become a little clearer.
So, while this Syclone inherits the GMC family vertical grille (more like a gate!) and sinister lights up front, there’s no missing the short bed, and extra squared off sides versus the stock GMC Sierra. In contrast, the curves on the side skirts, and rear bumper with its modern diffuser, help bring back the feel of a Syclone — a proper super truck. And yes, this modern GMC Syclone still has its fog lights in the lower bumper!
These small touches help give this new GMC Syclone the stance and old-school feel of the original ’91 Syclone. Of course, the retro “cyclone” wheels are an instant reminder of the cool, Corvette-look alike wheels of the original too. Even small details like the wing mirrors are a take on modern GMC rearview mirrors, taking the same them further by using two contrast elements. The twin exhaust tips are a nod-back to the original too, even if they’re placed at opposite ends of the diffuser, instead of twin pipes all the way through. But then again, that’s modern cars for you.
GMC’s lineup has some of the most beastly looking trucks on sale right now. And this GMC Syclone ups the aggression up to 11. All black everything is a great look, and a throwback to the original. But even in brighter body colors, this Syclone still pops.
Twin-Turbo Power Under The Hood Of This New Syclone
Coming to the ‘twin turbo’ decals on the back of this super truck. The original Syclone used a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 specially developed by specialty engineering firm PAS for it. The motor was rated at 280 hp, but most people say the V6 engine was criminally under-rated, actually making well over 300 hp. With a four-speed automatic sending power to all four wheels, that’s the only way the Syclone could have managed its low 14-second quarter mile.
Now, even if there’s a 3.6-liter V6 in the mid-size GMC Canyon with 308 hp, we think this reincarnation of the Syclone may go a different route. Elsewhere in the GM universe, Cadillac offers twin-turbo V6s in the CT5, specifically the CT5-V. It’s a 3-liter motor that pumps out 335 hp, and comes with a 10-speed automatic. This motor, with a little extra oomph, would be a good candidate to reside under the hood scoops on the new Syclone.
But if GMC really wants to make a statement, and reclaim its king of the hill status with the Syclone pickup, there’s another option. It wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine the Cadillac Blackwing V8 that was in the Cadillac CT6-V for a short while. This 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 made 550 hp and 640 lb. ft. of torque and while it is a heavy engine, it’d be right at home in the GMC Syclone.
The Syclone Needs To Make A Comeback Now
It’s a shame that GMC only produced limited numbers of the Syclone pickup and Typhoon SUV, and still only just managed to sell them all. But that was then. Now, trucks like the Dodge Ram TRX 1500 and Ford F-150 Raptor have enough of a market for them to make sense. And that’s not even counting the electric pickup trucks that have beat out the internal combustion competition.
Considering the competition, and the GMC Sierra mid-size truck roots for this modern rendition, we expect the 2023 GMC Cyclone price to hover over the top end of the Sierra price-range if it was ever made. But even a $75,000 Syclone truck that can take on the fastest trucks in the world doesn’t sound too bad, does it?
Which is why the time is ripe for GM to bring back the GMC Syclone with a monster of an engine to really give it another shot. And this time, the world will be ready for it.
