Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist

Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold.

But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul.

And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.

When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House.

But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others.

More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

Can GMSV succeed where Holden and HSV failed? Could the 500Nm Colorado Trail Boss take down the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in Australia?
By Andrew Chesterton · 21 Jul 2021
The battle between Holden and Ford seems as old as Australia automotive history itself, but there's one department in which the Red Lion consistently lost the war with the Blue Oval, and that's the battle between the Colorado and the Ranger.A recap?
Read the article
Toyota's new X-rated feature! Why the "Pleasure Pedal" sounds like more fun than it actually is
By Andrew Chesterton · 20 Jul 2021
In the great tradition of questionable automotive names, a few stick out from the rest. Great Wall Motors' new L.E.M.O.N Platform (yep, lemon) probably needed an extra spin around the marketing department before going public, for example.
Read the article
2022 Isuzu MU-X pricing leaked: Big price hike coming for D-Max-based SUV - report
By Andrew Chesterton · 19 Jul 2021
The price list of the upcoming Isuzu MU-X has been seemingly been leaked, with the document pointing to a $5k price jump for the entry-level model of the brand's D-Max-based SUV.The data - apparently leaked on FB Group Isuzu D-MAX, MU-X Owners Group Austr
Read the article
Who needs Holden or HSV? The fire-breathing 450kW Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has been trademarked for Australia by GMSV!
By Andrew Chesterton · 18 Jul 2021
Holden and HSV might have closed up shop in Australia, but that doesn't mean we're destined to miss out on some of General Motors' coolest cars, with the fire-breathing Chevrolet Corvette Z06 quietly trademarked for Australia by GMSV.GMSV, you'll recall,
Read the article
Australia's V8 love lives on: "High demand" for potent engines driven by lack of EV incentives
By Andrew Chesterton · 16 Jul 2021
Jaguar Land Rover is still seeing “high demand” for its straight-six and V8 engines, and predicts it will continue to do so until incentives to switch to a lower-emission option improve.
Read the article
From high-tech to low-fi: Why the semi-conductor shortage could strip the high-end tech from your next new car
By Andrew Chesterton · 16 Jul 2021
The semi-conductor shortage gripping the car world is wreaking havoc on Jaguar Land Rover’s plans in Australia, with the brand warning of the need to make “difficult decisions” about what vehicles they offer, and with what equipment.
Read the article
Ford's multi-million-dollar Mustang mistake! Missing equipment for Mach 1 sparks cash-back offers and refunds
By Andrew Chesterton · 15 Jul 2021
Early Ford Mustang Mach 1 buyers will be offered $5400 refund or a track day and free servicing package after discovering some of the performance equipment promised in the vehicle's brochure is either not fitted, or is entirely unavailable.Some 700 exampl
Read the article
Hurry up and wait for your LC300: Queues for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series grow overseas with months-long delivery delays expected - reports
By Andrew Chesterton · 15 Jul 2021
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has sparked huge interest around the world, which is good. But with that interest comes orders, and with those orders comes production delays and queues, which is bad.
Read the article
The tough-looking LC300 we won't be getting: Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series gets Modellista makeover
By Andrew Chesterton · 14 Jul 2021
It is yet officially launch in most markets, but the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has already come in for a makeover, courtesy of Japanese Toyota specialists Modellista.More subtle than savage, in most places, the makeover sees the LC300 fitted with
Read the article
Mazda's on-again, off-again rotary engine revival is now definitely happening in 2022 - and it's coming to Australia!
By Andrew Chesterton · 14 Jul 2021
Mazda's on-again, off-again plan to revive its iconic rotary engine is now definitely happening, with reports that the plan had been scrapped almost immediately countered by news the tech would debut in 2022.The USA's Automotive News first published repor
Read the article