The GMC Typhoon is a high-performance SUV, produced from 1992 until 1993 by GMC. The Typhoon was based on the 1991 GMC Syclone.[1]
| GMC Typhoon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | GMC (General Motors) |
| Production | 1992–1993 4697 produced |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 2-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | GMC Syclone GMC Jimmy/Chevrolet Blazer GMC Sonoma/Chevrolet S-10 Oldsmobile Bravada |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 4.3 L GM LB4 Turbocharged V-6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed 4L60 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 100.5 in (2553 mm) |
| Length | 170.3 in (4326 mm) |
| Width | 68.2 in (1732 mm) |
| Height | 60.0 in (1524 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3822 lb (1734 kg) |
Description
editLike 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).[2] 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.[3] The Typhoon sends power to all four wheels through a 4L60 4-speed automatic transmission and a BorgWarner 4472 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.[4]
During tests by Car and Driver, the Typhoon was capable of accelerating from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 5.3 seconds[1] 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.[1] It cost US$29,970, though the magazine criticized the plastic interior pieces.
Production and colors
editAll 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[a])
- Midnight Black with Gray (130 total)
- Frost White with Gray (518 total[b])
- 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[c])
- Radar Blue with Radar Blue (1 total[c])
1993
- Midnight Black with Black (1,008 total)
- Midnight Black with Gray (98 total)
- Frost White with White (532 total[d])
- 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[c])
Notes
edit- ^ Total includes 1 Raspberry Metallic w/ Raspberry Metallic factory test color truck.
- ^ Total includes 2 Raspberry Metallic w/ Raspberry Metallic and 1 Radar Blue w/ Radar Blue factory test color truck.
- ^ a b c These factory test colors are included in the totals of the original color combinations.
- ^ Total includes 1 Radar Blue w/ Radar Blue factory test color truck.
References
edit- ^ a b c St. Antoine, Arthur (March 1992). "Road Test: GMC Typhoon" (PDF). Car and Driver. 37 (9): 63–67. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
- ^ "Muscle Cars You Should Know: GMC Typhoon / Syclone". Street Muscle. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- ^ "1992 GMC Typhoon: First Drive Flashback". Road & Track. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
- ^ Huizenga, Paul (27 February 2018). "Storm on the Horizon: Tracing Today's Super SUV Origins". Driving Line. Nitto Tire. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
External links
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