GMC Typhoon

The GMC Typhoon is a high-performance SUV, produced from 1992 until 1993 by GMC. The Typhoon was based on the 1991 GMC Syclone.

Description

Like the GMC Syclone, the Typhoon is powered by a 4.3 L LB4 V6 engine with unique pistons, main caps, head gaskets, intake manifolds, fuel system and exhaust manifolds, producing 280 hp (209 kW) and 360 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) of torque. The engine is a modified version of the Vortec engine found in the standard Jimmy, which originally produced 190 hp (142 kW). The engine uses a Mitsubishi TD06-17C/8 cm² turbocharger producing 14 psi (0.97 bar) of boost and a Garrett Water/Air intercooler, as well as revised intake manifolds, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, and a 48 mm (2 in) twin-bore throttle body from the 5.7 L GM Small-Block engine. The Typhoon sends power to all four wheels through a 4L60 4-speed automatic transmission and a BorgWarner 4472 (the Syclone used a BorgWarner 1372) transfer case splitting torque with 35% forward and 65% to the rear wheels. Other features include upgraded brakes, a limited-slip rear differential and sport modifications to the standard suspensions. Unlike the Syclone, the Typhoon featured an air-operated self-leveling rear suspension.

During tests by Car and Driver, the Typhoon was capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds and could do a quarter-mile run in 14.1 seconds at 95 mph (153 km/h). Car and Driver compared the Syclone's performance favorably to the Ferrari 348ts, Chevrolet Corvette, and Nissan 300ZX Turbo. It cost US$29,970, though the magazine criticized the plastic interior pieces.

Production and colors

All three model years were built for GMC by Production Automotive Services of Troy, Michigan. Aside from a handful of prototypes, only 4,697 Typhoons were built by GMC: 2,497 for 1992, and 2,200 for 1993. Unlike regular production Syclones, Typhoons were offered in various exterior color configurations (body color/lower-body cladding color) that differed by year, with black/black being the most common.

1991

• Typhoon Pre-Production (6 total)

1992

• Midnight Black with Black (1,262 total)
• Midnight Black with Gray (130 total)
• Frost White with Gray (518 total)
• Apple Red with Gray (345 total)
• Bright Teal with Gray (132 total)
• Forest Green Metallic with Gray (82 total)
• Aspen Blue with Gray (28 total)
• Raspberry Metallic with Raspberry Metallic (3 total)
• Radar Blue with Radar Blue (1 total)

1993

• Midnight Black with Black (1,008 total)
• Midnight Black with Gray (98 total)
• Frost White with White (532 total)
• Frost White with Gray (115 total)
• Apple Red with Apple Red (77 total)
• Apple Red with Gray (101 total)
• Forest Green Metallic with Gray (210 total)
• Garnet Red with Gray (24 total)
• Royal Blue Metallic with Gray (35 total)
• Radar Blue with Radar Blue (1 total)

Notes

References

External links