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.

How BYD plans to take down Tesla in Australia
By Andrew Chesterton · 29 Aug 2021
Chinese EV maker BYD is planning a full-frontal assault on Australia's EV market, with the brand to launch six new models by the end of 2023 - including SUVs, city cars and even a ute - that it hopes will elevate them to a top-five brand in this market.It
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Rivian revs up for Australia
By Andrew Chesterton · 27 Aug 2021
US EV up-and-comer Rivian is seemingly preparing a full-scale assault on Australia's ute and SUV market, with six new trademarks being registered for new models.Rivian - maker of the very cool R1T truck and R1S SUV - has already confirmed its launch plans
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You're wrong on Chinese utes
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 Aug 2021
Of all the stories we produce here at CarsGuide, few get our readers fired up like a yarn about an incoming Chinese ute that threatens to steal the crown from the Toyota HiLux or the Ford Ranger.
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Toyota HiLux GR Sport revealed
By Andrew Chesterton · 25 Aug 2021
The Toyota HiLux GR Sport has been revealed in all its low-riding glory, with the Japanese giant's new toughened-up ute harking back to the glory days of Australia's car-based performance utes.Detailed on Toyota's Thai website, the toughened-up ute is mor
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Lang Lang Proving Ground to close
By Andrew Chesterton · 24 Aug 2021
The former Holden workers now employed by VinFast at the iconic Lang Lang Proving Ground have once again been abandoned by a manufacturer, with the Vietnamese automotive company to leave Australia and close the site.
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Toyota pumps the brakes on LC300
By Andrew Chesterton · 24 Aug 2021
Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series deliveries in Australia for October are now officially in doubt, with the auto giant warning buyers that planned deliveries will be pushed back in the wake of a month-long stoppage at the LC300's plant in Japan.
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Great Wall Tank 600 revealed with big numbers
By Andrew Chesterton · 23 Aug 2021
China has just taken its most obvious shot yet at Japan's most legendary nameplate, with the new Great Wall Tank 600 revealed with The Toyota LandCruiser Prado in its sights.These appear to be the first official images of the Great Wall Tank 600, ahead of the Chines
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Tough-looking LC300 render surfaces
By Andrew Chesterton · 22 Aug 2021
Sure as night follows day, the appearance of a new Toyota will spark movement amongst Japanese tuners, and the LC300 is clearly no different.
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Kia's EV6 is just the beginning
By Andrew Chesterton · 22 Aug 2021
Kia's EV6 is just the beginning of the brand's full-throttle push into the electric-vehicle space, with new models that will tackle some of Australia's best-selling nameplates to arrive in 2022.That's the word from UK publication AutoExpress, which is rep
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Best look yet at the Toyota LandCruiser Prado
By Andrew Chesterton · 22 Aug 2021
The new Toyota LandCruiser Prado has taken shape in new renders, with the long-awaited seven-seat SUV looking like a baby LandCruiser 300 Series.While an unofficial render, it does look like a realistic approximation, with the Prado taking on cues from th
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