How did a ‘90s GMC Syclone Pickup Truck Beat a Modern Ferrari?
Carlos Kirby
· 4 min read
When you think of
GMC
, you probably think of rugged pickups like the Sierra and Denali
. Reasonably, GMC probably doesn't make you think of a vehicle with the ability to beat a mid-engine Ferrari in a drag race. However, the GMC Syclone did exactly that. According to
Car and Driver
, the 1991 GMC Syclone pickup legitimately won a race against a Ferrari. It seems like a story that would just be an urban legend, but it is something that genuinely happened. Despite this, the Syclone is often forgotten in automotive history.
The GMC Syclone against a Ferrari 348ts
This quirky anecdote in automotive history took place in September 1991. The GMC Syclone was built as a performance pickup truck, but it still seemed unlikely that any truck could beat a
supercar
like the Ferrari 348ts. For the drag race, the Syclone and Ferrari would travel a quarter-mile.When the race began, the Syclone astonished everyone by taking an early lead, and the Ferrari never could catch up. The truck finished the quarter-mile in 14.1 seconds, and the Ferrari finished in 14.5 seconds.
This wasn't even the fastest the Syclone could go either, as it is reported that the Syclone could complete a quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds.
Now, this race does not mean that the pickup was faster overall or could handle better than the Ferrari. The GMC Syclone's top speed was 126 miles per hour compared with the Ferrari 348ts, which could go 166 mph.
If the race was longer than a quarter-mile, the Ferrari would likely easily win.
Specs of the GMC Syclone
The GMC Syclone was based on the Sonoma pickup truck, but under the hood, the Syclone hardly resembled the truck it was based on. According to
TopSpeed
, the Syclone was powered by a 4.3-liter turbocharged V-6. This engine could get the truck from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.Another feature of the Syclone that gave it a quarter-mile advantage over its Ferrari competitor was its four-wheel drive. With this four-wheel drive, the Syclone had a boost in traction to help it take an early lead.
If the Syclone and Ferrari raced to see who could brake the quickest, the Syclone would win that too. Starting at a speed of 70 mph, the Syclone could come to a complete stop in 183 feet. This is four feet better than the Ferrari.
Why isn't the Syclone more widely remembered?
Less than 3,000 GMC Syclones were produced in 1991, so it was a rare vehicle even at the time. Almost all of the Syclone trucks produced featured a fitting black paint scheme that added to the overall cool image of the performance truck.
With its style and performance, why isn't' the Syclone more well-known today?
This may have to do in part with how limited the Syclone was as a pickup. It was a vehicle that was created more with performance in mind rather than for carrying loads. The Syclone could not carry more than 500 pounds of cargo, which meant that many pickup drivers would need something else.
Regardless, the Syclone earned its place in history for being able to outrun a Ferrari for a quarter-mile.
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