SVE Will Bring Back the Typhoon If GMC Gets the Blazer
Sleeper enthusiasts have a space in their heart reserved for General Motors. While the company’s most famous performance vehicles have typically been difficult to ignore, there was an era where some of its meanest models flew below the radar. This peaked in 1991 with the GMC Syclone pickup and Typhoon SUV — both of which played host to a 4.3-liter LB4 turbo V6 that could give high-end exotics a run for their money in a drag race.
While each of GMC’s unassuming monsters had a tragically short lifespan, evaporating by 1993, Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) announced it would be bringing back the Syclone as a limited-edition “modern classic” earlier this year. Now the company is saying it’ll happily do the same for the Typhoon if General Motors decides to hand over the Blazer to GMC.
Limited to just 100 units, the Syclone aftermarket conversion kit (below) is based on the Canyon pickup and receives a supercharged 3.6-liter V6 with a claimed 455 horsepower, upgraded brakes, SVE’s sport suspension package, Y-rated tires, and a cat-back exhaust system for enhanced noisemaking. They’re also individually numbered and adorned with tons of Syclone badging to let the world know which vehicle you were coveting most in your youth. However, the understated look of the original remains — even with 20-inch performance wheels sporting the Syclone logo.
Motor1, which first reported that SVE was even interested in building a throwback Typhoon, stipulated that the company could give the new Blazer’s 3.6-liter LGX a similar treatment. But wondered why the firm wanted to wait for the Blazer when the GMC Acadia would have worked just fine.
From Motor1:
The Acadia already shares the same platform with the new Chevy Blazer. The GMC is available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 230 horsepower (172 kilowatts) and 258 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm). While not as powerful straight from the factory, the turbocharged mill would probably be easier for SVE to tune than Acadia’s 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp (230 kW) and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm).
A lowered suspension would help get the stance right. To match the original look, SVE could add some wheels with curved spokes, small fender flares, and the proper emblems.
Tradition mandates that the Typhoon be a V6 but we’re otherwise inclined to agree that the Arcadia would be a fine platform for SVE to modify. But the SVE rep speaking to the outlet seemed intent on waiting for the Chevy Blazer to make its way to GMC — something that may never happen.
However, if it does, Specialty Vehicle Engineering says it will “run with it.” We’re hoping so, as the Syclone and Typhoon really are better as a duet.
[Images: Grzegorz Czapski/Shutterstock; Specialty Vehicle Engineering]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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gmc and chevy must be selling enough (gmc maybe not so much) of their midsizers and full-sizers they just don't care to make performance versions. that is the backward thinking of gm i guess... i've been toying with the idea of trading in the '17 Fusion for a 2WD Ranger... (i was thinking to myself i have used the 4WD on my '01 Ranger maybe a handful of times in 3 years) the aftermarket is making crazy hp and torque tuning the 2.3 ecoboost. lebanon ford is 2.5 hours from me. if they come out with a performance ranger i'm almost certain to buy one.
Original Typhoon was RW biased AWD, making the current minivan Blazer “hot” is so dumb it might just happen with current GM leadership.