How fast was the Chevy Typhoon?
There was no Chevrolet Typhoon; the famous high-performance model was the GMC Typhoon (1992–1993). In stock form it could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds and reach a top speed around 135–140 mph.
Origins and branding
The Typhoon badge belonged to GMC, not Chevrolet, and the vehicle was based on the S-15 Jimmy platform. Produced in the early 1990s, the Typhoon (along with its sibling Syclone) used a turbocharged V6 with all-wheel drive to deliver brisk acceleration for a light, truck-based SUV. The model remains a cult favorite among collectors and performance enthusiasts who remember turbocharged, AWD capability from that era.
What powered the Typhoon
The stock Typhoon used a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 with an intercooler and an IHI turbocharger, delivering approximately 280 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission sent drive to all four wheels, helping the truck launch off the line with notable haste for its class.
The combination of a relatively light chassis, all-wheel drive, and forced induction gave the Typhoon performance well ahead of many contemporaries in its segment and cemented its place in 1990s automotive folklore.
Performance figures
The Typhoon’s core specifications in stock form were as follows:
- Engine: 4.3-liter V6 turbocharged with intercooler
- Horsepower: approximately 280 hp
- Torque: around 360 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic
In summary, these specs translated to brisk straight-line performance for the early 1990s, with the Typhoon delivering strong grip and a quick launch thanks to AWD and turbo power.
Performance figures in practice
Typical stock performance figures cited by manufacturers and testers include the following ranges:
- 0–60 mph: about 5.0 seconds (in ideal conditions)
- Top speed: around 135–140 mph
- Quarter-mile time: roughly 13.8–14.5 seconds
- Weight: approximately 3,800–3,900 pounds
Test results varied with weather, altitude, tire choice, and other conditions, so numbers cited by different sources can differ slightly.
How it compared with the GMC Syclone
The GMC Syclone, launched a year earlier, shared the same turbocharged 4.3-liter V6 and AWD setup but was lighter and often quicker in some conditions. The Typhoon’s improvements over the Syclone were modest and mostly centered on refinements rather than a dramatic power increase, but both vehicles epitomized early-’90s American turbo AWD performance.
Why the misnomer "Chevy Typhoon" persists
Brand overlap within GM’s truck lineup and the popularity of the Typhoon name have led some fans to colloquially call it a Chevy. Official records, however, credit the model to GMC, and no Chevrolet-branded Typhoon was produced. The mislabel remains a common point of confusion among casual enthusiasts and some media outlets.
Summary
The Chevy Typhoon is a misnomer for GMC’s Typhoon, produced from 1992 to 1993. In stock form, it could sprint to 60 mph in roughly five seconds and top out around 135–140 mph, aided by AWD and a turbocharged 4.3-liter V6. Its legacy endures as one of the era’s fastest factory trucks, celebrated for its unusual combination of compact footprint, forced induction, and all-wheel drive.
What is the top speed of the GMC Typhoon?
The GMC Typhoon has a top speed of 124 mph, which was electronically limited. While its 0-60 mph acceleration is a quick 5.3 seconds, its top speed is governed to a lower figure than what the engine could potentially achieve.
You can watch this video to learn more about the GMC Typhoon's performance: 1mDriveHubYouTube · Sep 19, 2022
- Top Speed: 124124124 mph (200200200 km/h), electronically limited.
- 0-60 mph: 5.35.35.3 seconds.
- Quarter-mile: 14.114.114.1 seconds at 959595 mph.
Are GMC typhoons fast?
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.
How fast is the 1991 GMC Syclone 1 4 mile?
The 1991 GMC Syclone's 1/4 mile time was around 13.4 seconds, though some tests showed slightly quicker times like 12.9 or 13.1 seconds. GMC's own figures cited a 13.4-second time, which was faster than many sports cars of the era, including the Ferrari 348.
You can watch this video to learn more about the 1991 GMC Syclone's performance: 1mHagertyYouTube · Sep 23, 2021
- Manufacturer's claim: GMC stated a quarter-mile time of 13.4 seconds.
- Magazine tests: Several magazines achieved similar or slightly better results. For example, Car and Driver recorded a 13.4-second quarter-mile, while other tests have shown times as low as 12.9 or 13.1 seconds.
- Historical context: These times were incredibly fast for a production truck and placed it in competition with high-performance sports cars of the time.
Was the Syclone faster than a Corvette?
Magazines reported mid-four-second zero-to-60 times and quarter-miles in the 13s. At those speeds, Syclone beat the mighty Corvette ZR-1. and even—as Car and Driver magazine famously put on its September 1991 cover—a Ferrari 348 - opens in new window or tab..
