GMC Yukon Denali

Think of the luxurious Denali sport/utility as off-roading's equivalent of the Cadillac Seville STS. But don't let its slick appearance fool you. Not an ounce of truck toughness has been sacrificed for the sake of the vehicle's new-found manners or exterior refinement.

Named after the Alaskan mountain also known as Mt. McKinley, the tallest peak in North America, this GMC "concept" is closely based on the division's muscular, full-size Yukon.

The fact is, late last year Pontiac-GMC's General Manager, Roy Roberts, stated that the production version of the Denali is due "sometime during the 1998 calendar year." So unlike with most concept cars, folks won't have to wait long before they can actually purchase one. And the Denali is only the first in a separate line of luxury versions destined for the GMC brand. The compact Jimmy is the next model set for the luxury exterior cues and leather and wood treatment; it will carry the name "Envoy."

One of the most interesting points about the truck is how its styling manages to tread the narrow design path between Park Avenue and the Rubicon trail. Despite obvious exterior polish, there isn't a single prissy detail or precious line. According to Denny O'Donnel, Yukon brand manager, the Denali appears-and is-trail-breaker tough. "After all, if you take too much of the utility out of a sport/utility, you don't have a sport/utility."

For example, the big, clear-lensed, reflector-optic headlights look as if they'd be comfortable on the nose of a premium Asian coupe or giant German sedan. And yet the huge lamps appear completely natural above the massive tow hooks, which are remarkably well integrated into the smooth front bumper and fascia.

The Denali features completely new front-end sheetmetal: The grille bulges out of the vehicle's front like a puffed-out chest; the front fenders are also more rounded, but sport square, Jeep-like wheel arches; and the hood now has a power bulge to visually suggest the big, 5.7-liter/255-horsepower V-8 muscle this truck packs. In back, the seamless theme continues with the trailer hitch integrated into the beefy rear bumper.

The luxo treatment continues inside, with four heated, leather-covered, and electrically powered buckets. Two cellular phones keep passengers in touch with the outside world, and GM's premium OnStar system provides trip-routing assistance and security services. If the scenery gets boring, there's also a TV in the overhead console, a VCR to play movies, and a Bose premium audio system.

It appears as if luxury off-road transport reaches its peak in the Denali. Only time will tell: We'll have a first test of the real thing as soon as humanly possible.