GMC’s biggest SUV is back in black

GMSV’s latest version of the GMC Yukon Denali SUV looks like it might have driven straight from central casting for an LA rap video, or perhaps from a US Presidential motorcade, thanks to its new Signature Black edition livery.

The locally specified version of the enormous US-made and Australian reengineered SUV was reportedly inspired by the customisation efforts of certain Western Sydney owners, with its Onyx Black exterior paint and black Vader Chrome detailing complemented by black exterior badging, gloss black hood mouldings and luggage rails, and 24-inch black alloy wheels.

An eye-catching illuminated GMC emblem adorning the grille caps off the giant SUV’s unique exterior enhancements, while the interior features second-row Captain’s Chairs clad in, you guessed it, black leather.

Like its stablemate the Chevy SiIverado pickup, the GMC Yukon Denali is imported from the USA in left-hand drive and converted to right-hand drive by the Walkinshaw Group in Melbourne.

Measuring more than 5.3m from nose to tail and weighing 2.8 tonnes it lays claim to being the biggest and one of the most powerful SUVs on the road, its dimensions easily eclipsing the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

Beneath that vast bonnet sits GM’s muscular 6.2-litre V8 which sends a hearty 313kW/624Nm to either the rear or all four wheels via a slick 10-speed automatic transmission and Active Response 4WD system.

Ride comfort is surprisingly plush thanks to Air Ride Adaptive suspension and Magnetic Ride Control dampers, while the V8’s thirst for unleaded is kept in some sort of check (relatively speaking) by Dynamic Fuel Management which helps realise a combined cycle average of 12.8L/100km.

While other Yukon Denali variants boast an eight-seat configuration, the Signature Black pars this back to seven (2+2+3), with all three rows clad in Jet Black perforated leather, with heating for the front and rear seats, ventilated front pews and electric folding. The third row of seats can be folded electrically, and the luggage bay is accessed via an electric tailgate.

Other luxury touches include a power sliding centre console, enormous 16.8-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, 15-inch multicolour head-up display, and a Bose 14-speaker surround sound system on which to blast out bangers like AC/DC’s Back in Black, or perhaps Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black.

Other interior amenities include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree HD camera system with up to 11 camera views, and dual 12.6-inch colour-touch LCD screens for the second-row seats, complete with GMC-branded wireless headphones.

Maximum braked towing capacity is a healthy 3,628kg (with 70mm weight-distributing hitch), and is complemented by such tow-friendly features as the Chevy Silverado-based body-on-frame architecture, limited-slip differential, dual range transfer case, Trailer Sway Control and an integrated brake controller.

The 360-degree camera system also provides up to 11 different camera views, including Hitch Guidance and Hitch View.

There’s no ANCAP safety rating but the Yukon Denali Signature Black comes equipped with six airbags and driver-assistance features including:

• Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
• Forward Collision Alert
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Alert
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Rear Pedestrian Alert
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Rear Camera Mirror
• Haptic Safety Alert Seat.

For those who prefer to roll in Presidential style, this biggest and baddest of family freighters can be yours for a snip over $180,000 ($181,490 MRLP), which is a circa $5,000 premium over the regular GMC Yukon Denali.