Articles by Chris Thompson

Chris Thompson
Senior Journalist

Racing video games, car-spotting on road trips, and helping wash the family VL Calais Turbo as a kid were all early indicators that an interest in cars would stay present in Chris’ life, but loading up his 1990 VW Golf GTI Mk2 and moving from hometown Brisbane to work in automotive publishing in Melbourne ensured cars would be a constant.

With a few years as MOTOR Magazine’s first digital journalist under his belt, followed by a stint as a staff journalist for Wheels Magazine, Chris’ career already speaks to a passion for anything with four wheels, especially the 1989 Mazda MX-5 he currently owns.

From spending entire weeks dissecting the dynamic abilities of sports cars to weighing up the practical options for car buyers from all walks of life, Chris’ love for writing and talking about cars means if you’ve got a motoring question, he can give you an answer.

Toyota LandCruiser Prado gets tough new look!
By Chris Thompson · 06 Jan 2026
Ahead of the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Japanese modification outfit Kuhl has revealed a rugged new take on a Toyota icon.The 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has been given a lift and bodykit by Kuhl, with the company dubbing the show car the ‘Iron Build’.Complete with a mix of visual modifications and genuine mechanical changes, including a new set of wheels and off-road tyres, the Iron Build is set to be shown off at Tokyo Auto Salon between January 9 and 11.The Prado’s standard wheel-and-tyre package has been replaced by a set of dishy 22-inch wheels called ‘Verz DR03’ from Kuhl’s own catalogue, and wrapped in a set of 37-inch Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 mud tyres.The result is a ground clearance that looks to be just about doubled, reportedly sitting at 399mm.It’s not just the lift, the Prado has also been bestowed with some body kit like the wing above the rear window, plus some protective ‘pipe’-style protection around the side steps, front and rear bumpers, and over the wheel arches.It also scores a roof rack and a 40-inch-wide LED light bar, completing the ‘weekend warrior’ look.Kuhl sells and installs the parts shown off on the Iron Build, offering its customers the choice of buying a full predetermined set of parts or choosing their own specific custom components.The company has built wicked wide-body and lowered versions of cars from most Japanese manufacturers, from slammed HiAce vans to WRXs that would look at home in Need For Speed.The Prado Iron Build closely follows the reveal of a pair of cars set to be shown off at Auto Salon, the Outroad versions of the Toyota GR86 which come either with or without a lift for the purposes of gravel driving in the rear-drive Toyota sports car.
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Mega Ram 1500 returns with supercharged V8!
By Chris Thompson · 05 Jan 2026
Ram has confirmed the return of its most powerful variant in the Ram 1500 range, the SRT TRX.
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Chinese Mazdas, Toyotas and more to become more common
By Chris Thompson · 04 Jan 2026
The next Mazda 6 will not be built in Japan.
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Solid-state batteries ‘not necessary’ says brand VP
By Chris Thompson · 01 Jan 2026
One of Porsche’s top executives has weighed in on the solid-state battery debate, saying he doesn’t see them happening any time soon.
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Why Nurburgring lap times really matter for road cars
By Chris Thompson · 31 Dec 2025
If you’re even a sliver interested in cars, you’ll know the name Nurburgring. It’s a 20.8km circuit cut into a forest in Germany, and it’s considered by many to be motoring Mecca.
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Major interior overhaul for MG’s popular EV
By Chris Thompson · 16 Dec 2025
MG4 gets significant interior upgrades.
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How Mazda is making its EV right for Oz
By Chris Thompson · 14 Dec 2025
The Mazda 6e is a while away from launching in Australia, despite the brand having already made a production-spec car available for test drives.
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Iconic cars sticking to tradition
By Chris Thompson · 13 Dec 2025
There’s good news for fans of Porsche’s iconic two-door sports cars.
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BYD opens door for wagon comeback in Oz
By Chris Thompson · 12 Dec 2025
BYD has opened the door for a hybrid wagon renaissance in Australia, with a launch in the UK for its long-range hybrid Seal Touring.
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Mercedes-Benz GLE 2026 review: 450d
By Chris Thompson · 10 Dec 2025
Well into its second generation, the Mercedes-Benz GLE remains a key player in the luxury large SUV space. In its category, there are however plenty of badges with the power to lure buyers away: Audi, Porsche and Range Rover. Even non-Euros like Genesis and Lexus. A week behind the wheel around and out of the city should reveal whether the GLE still has a strong-enough USP in 2025.
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