Powerful SUV on horizon
The first GMC Yukon Denali has undergone right-hand-drive remanufacturing across the ditch ahead of deliveries of the eight-seat SUV starting across Australia and New Zealand from May.
GMC, a new brand for Australia and New Zealand through General Motors Specialty Vehicles, will offer the Yukon Denali in both countries as it aims to set new benchmarks for upper-large SUVs in those markets.
Remanufacturing of the model in Victoria, Australia, is under way and the vehicle combines V8 petrol performance with on-road comfort and off-road capability.
Jess Bala, managing director, General Motors Australia and New Zealand, says: “This is a flagship product in the truest sense of the term – an eight-seat family vehicle unrivalled in terms performance and practicality.
“There’s no better vehicle to launch the GMC brand in our market, with the Yukon Denali’s combination of potent performance, towing confidence and luxury in every seat delivering a truly unique proposition in the upper-large SUV space.”
GMC is well-established in the United States and sits between Chevrolet and Cadillac in GM’s brand line-up.
The Yukon Denali pairs a 6.2-litre EcoTec3 V8 with dynamic fuel management, which produces 313kW and 624Nm, to a 10-speed automatic transmission with electronic precision shift.
Under light loads and conditions, the dynamic fuel management system can deactivate four cylinders to reduce fuel use and increase total range.
The SUV stands on 24-inch machined and painted pearl nickel wheels and delivers what GM describes as a class-leading braked towing capacity of more than 3500kg.
Its dimensions come in at 5,338mm in length, 2,058mm in width, 1,943mm in height, and the wheelbase measures 3,071mm. Maximum cargo volume is 3,480 litres.
Seats for the driver and front passenger are heated and ventilated, while those in the second row are also heated.
Taking pride of place in the centre console is the GMC premium infotainment system, a 16.8-inch touch screen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and which pairs with a Bose 14-speaker surround with CenterPoint audio system.
For the driver, an 11-inch digital driver information centre with high-contrast display provides all driving and vehicle data, while a 15-inch multicolour head-up display ensures their eyes never have to stray from the road ahead.
Completing the technological set-up is a rear-seat entertainment system, with dual 12.6-inch diagonal colour-touch LCD HD rear screens for second-row passengers.
Pricing starts from $184,990.
