Performance trucks have changed a lot since GMC released the Cyclone back in 1991. Instead of focusing on street trucks, the big three American automakers have leaned heavily on off-road performance trucks like the Ford F-150 Raptor. We may never see anything like the Cyclone ever again but GMC has recently teased a facelift for its mid-size Canyon pickup truck, set to arrive for the 2021 model year.

The facelift is confirmed to include an off-road-oriented AT4 version but a recent patent filing discovered by AutoGuide may point to another new trim level returning from GMC's past. The street truck may not be dead after all.

On August 15, 2019, GMC filed a trademark for the name "ZRX." GM fans may remember the ZRX name on a limited-run version of the Sonoma pickup truck back in the early 2000s. The Sonoma ZRX was a street-oriented truck which used a 4.3-liter V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels only. GMC also equipped the ZRX with special shocks, decals, and other details to make it look sportier than a standard Sonoma.

No other details were included in the application, meaning there is very little information to predict what a reborn ZRX could look like. If GMC does build a ZRX version of the Canyon, we would expect a rear-wheel-drive layout, possibly with a lower ride height compared to the standard truck.

It is doubtful GMC would upgrade the performance in any meaningful way and GM recently axed the manual transmission from the Canyon and Colorado lineups, meaning this new ZRX would be automatic-only. The ZRX would likely be powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 producing 308 horsepower as it does in other trim levels. The only way we see a new drivetrain being used for the ZRX is if GMC waits to apply the name to the upcoming next-generation Canyon if it ends up using the name at all.