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It’s approximately one year before the GMC Yukon hits Australian showrooms, but engineers from General Motors have already begun testing the first right-hand-drive converted vehicle on local roads.
Following the teaser of the facelifted SUV in the US just days ago, images have been released of a camouflaged 2025 GMC Yukon in Australia – the first to have been converted to right-hand-drive.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has begun testing the Yukon after it was remanufactured with the steering wheel on the right-hand side, ahead of its expected Australian launch in early 2025.
The conversion will take place at the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Melbourne, which also remanufactures the Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado to right-hand-drive – with the Yukon SUV based on the same platform as the Silverado pick-up.
However, in GM’s hierarchy of brands, GMC sits above Chevrolet in terms of luxury and prestige – but below Cadillac, which is also launching in Australia in 2025, albeit with an exclusive line-up of electric models.
While pricing and specifications for the GMC Yukon have yet to be announced locally, it’s believed the large SUV will feature the same 6.2-litre petrol V8 producing 313kW and 624Nm as found in the Silverado.
A 10-speed automatic transmission is also expected.
“It’s exciting that another vehicle is joining the GMSV line-up – one that features a full complement of eight-seats and offers great towing capability,” GM Australian Managing Director Jess Bala said in a statement.
“Vehicle development post-remanufacturing is progressing extremely well and we’re on track to deliver the new model to customers in first-half of 2025.”
While new to Australia, the current fifth-generation Yukon has been on sale in North America since 2020, and will soon be relaunched with its major mid-life update.
As reported by Drive in March 2024, spy photos show the new version will benefit from a large portrait-style infotainment screen, approximately 15-17 inches in diameter.
The Yukon is longer than both the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and is the first time General Motors has offered a full-size US-made SUV since the Chevrolet Suburban was sold as a Holden between 1998 and 2000.
Along with the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, the GMC Yukon will join the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra in being one of few models to be remanufactured to right-hand-drive with the backing of its car company.
The post 2025 GMC Yukon begins testing on Australian soil appeared first on Drive.
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