A new big American vehicle is coming to Australia, via GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles), with the GMC Yukon confirmed to arrive here in 2025. GMSV has also confirmed it will be introducing the Corvette E-Ray for MY24.
The GMC Yukon will be offered in Denali trim and will be remanufactured in Melbourne like the Chevrolet Silverado, joining the market as one of the largest SUVs on sale.
Specifications and finer details are yet to be announced, but overseas the Yukon is powered by a 5.3-litre V8 producing 265kW, or an optional 6.2-litre V8 producing 310kW. A 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel is also offered on lower-spec models overseas. Greg Rowe, director of GMSV, said:
“GMSV has made a real impression in the local market and, thanks to this success, we’ve been able to make a strong business case for additional models and this latest arrival is testament to these achievements. I’m excited to confirm the new GMC Yukon, will be remanufactured here in Melbourne and will be available in Australia and New Zealand.”
Being such a large vehicle, with a wheelbase spanning 3070mm, it will sit in the upper-large SUV market segment. For perspective, the wheelbase on the 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser measures 2850mm. The Yukon also spans a whopping 5720mm in length, which is almost a metre longer than the 300 Series (4980mm, Sahara), and of course offers three rows of seats inside.
In the USA, the Yukon Denali starts from around US$74,805, which, after a straight conversion translates to around AU$117,766 at today’s rates. However, this will not be the price tag when it lands here. Expect upwards of $150,000 by the time taxes and other charges are applied.
As for the Corvette E-Ray, this is the first all-wheel drive Corvette and the first hybrid Corvette. It’s powered by a 6.2-litre V8 connected to a 119kW electric motor assist system fed by a 1.9kWh battery. Combined, the hybrid V8 develops 488kW and covers 0-60mph (97km/h) in just 2.5 seconds. It is the quickest Corvette ever.
In the USA the E-Ray starts from around US$104,900, which converts to around AU$164,908. However, the regular Corvette in Australia already kicks off from $205,000 (excluding on-roads), so the E-Ray is likely to be priced quite a bit higher than that.
Lastly, GMSV is also announcing MY24 updates to the Silverado range, with a new GM performance exhaust coming in for the ZR2 and LTZ Premium. A host of added features will also boost the packaging, including a rear camera mirror, 15-inch head-up display, power adjustment for the steering column, and adaptive cruise control. A Bose sound system is also in the mix. Speaking about the updates, Greg Rowe said:
“The MY24 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will now be standard with an active performance exhaust system providing customers the flexibility of a ‘standard’ exhaust experience – or dialling up the limiter to hear that traditional V8 rumble.”
More details and prices will be announced in the near future. The MY24 Silverado HD is going into production in Australia this month, while local production of the Corvette E-Ray will begin “mid-next year” GMSV says. The Yukon is scheduled to arrive in Australia early in 2025.
