Specialty Vehicle Engineering, the same company that builds the 1,000 hp Yenko Camaro, has fully revealed what it teased just a few weeks ago: a 750 horsepower, all-wheel-drive, supercharged-V8-powered 2021 GMC Syclone. Based of course on the 2021 GMC Canyon, SVE is licensed to use the original Syclone, which harkens back to an incredible performance truck from GMC nearly 30 years ago. At the time, it featured AWD and a turbocharged V6 engine 280 hp and 360 lb⋅ft of torque. Less than 3,000 Syclones were produced, and the truck could shoot from 0-60 in just over 4 seconds when new. There hasn’t been a truck like this from General Motors before or since.
Onto the details. Along with 750 steamrolling horsepower, the 2021 Syclone also produces a thunderous 600 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 5.3L V8 engine, based on the L83 small block V8 engine found in the previous generation GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, and their related full-size SUV products.
Far from stock, the boosted L83 V8 in the 2021 GMC Syclone features the following, per SVE:
Computer-balanced, race-quality rotating assembly including forged 1538MV twisted steel crankshaft; forged H-beam rods; forged aluminum pistons; modified L83 high flow cylinder heads with ARP high- strength head and main studs; our own OEM-quality centrifugal supercharger with a 33% larger 8-rib belt drive system; an upgraded high and low pressure fuel system with high-flow injectors; state-of-the-art high efficiency air-to-water intercooler system; and custom stainless steel exhaust system with high-flow cats.
The new Syclone is solely based on the 2021 GMC Canyon extended cab/short bed configuration, is available in any factory color. Only 50 of these midsize pickup trucks will be made, and it’s not legal in California. Pricing has not been announced.
Performance-wise, the V8 swap does not affect the weight distribution of the the 2021 GMC Syclone compared to the V6-powered base-truck, according to SVE. The truck will also be made with full-time-all-wheel-drive, utilizing a heavy-duty transfer case that SVE exclusively offers in this new Syclone truck. Sending all of that power to the wheels will be a upgraded 8L90E eight-speed automatic transmission and custom high-stall torque converter that offers greater performance, reliability, and efficiency than any other transmission. In charge of the traction will be Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV Front and Rear Performance Tires, measuring 285/45R20 square.
The fully custom suspension system also drops the Syclone a full five inches in the rear from stock, and two inches in the front. Providing stopping power are a set of 6-piston forged front calipers with “SYCLONE” lettering and two-piece 13.6” slotted front rotors, while rear factory calipers painted red.
The optional leather seat trim package features a leather surround with a leather insert, and is available in two colors to match the available factory interior colors. The leather seat trim packages are accented by red and white stitching on black seats, and black and white stitching on Cocoa Dune seats, with the Syclone V8 Supercharged logo embroidered in red on the front headrests.