{"id":232,"date":"1990-10-22T10:52:27","date_gmt":"1990-10-22T14:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportmachines.com\/wp-index.php\/?p=232"},"modified":"2024-06-30T17:21:10","modified_gmt":"2024-06-30T22:21:10","slug":"autoweek-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sportmachines.com\/wp-index.php\/1990\/10\/22\/autoweek-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Pricing Announced for the GMC Syclone Sport Truck"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Autoweek<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GMC’s screaming Syclone sport truck will retail for $25,500, and is just the first of several new image-building machines that will likely include a Syclone-line pavement-oriented sport\/utility, according to brass at the General’s truck division.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General manager John Rock said GMC will do “everything in its power” to keep dealers from packing the $25,500 MSRP, should initial demand for Syclone exceed supply. Dealers are now taking orders for delivery of the first Syclones in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Syclone’s 4.3-liter Vortec V6 is pumped up via turbocharger and liquid-cooled intercooler, delivering 280 hp and 360 lb ft of torque. With all-wheel drive and four-speed automatic, the Sonoma-based compact pickup runs 0-60 times of less than five seconds. GMC will build 5000 annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If $25,000-plus seems a bit steep for a compact pickup, GMC notes that Syclone outperforms sportsters like Mitsubishi’s 3000GT VR-4 for substantially less cash, with the added benefit of a bed for hauling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Syclone will be followed by other specialty vehicles. Brian Nielsen, Syclone project manager, says a two-door S-15 Jimmy with Syclone-like tweaks is on the drawing board. A version of Chevy’s three-quarter ton 454SS is not in the cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“That isn’t with the high-tech image we’re building,” said Nielsen. “The Syclone–because of more efficient injection and better aerodynamics–actually gets better mileage than Sonoma.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “leading-edge” image GMC hopes to cast will be based on “greater customer responsiveness,” according to national sales manager Rick Lee. It also will be built on “more niche vehicles, more risk-taking and more speed getting products to market.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, GMC anticipates lower sales for calendar 1991 after four years of new records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We’re not sure yet how much,” said Lee. “The whole market’s falling into a pit and I don’t hear anyone out there saying exactly where the bottom is. (But) I think light trucks in general are in better shape (than the market as a whole). We could see a shift from full-size to compact trucks.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n