Articles by James Cleary

Maybe it was the 2006 release of Al Gore’s documentary An Inconvenient Truth, the high-profile unveiling of the game-changing Tesla Model S in 2012 or the cumulative effect of a growing mass of climate data pointing to a grim future for the planet.

The JAC T9 EV Dual-Cab 4x4 ute has been slotted into a real-world trial with WA-based mining services provider, Warrikal, to examine its performance in one of the harshest work environments in the country.

Ford Ranger Black edition makes a return for 2025

After close to four years in market, the car that started it all for Polestar in Australia, the pure-electric, mid-size, liftback Polestar 2 has received a substantial upgrade ranging from faster charging for the Standard range Single motor variant, additional optional features, a fresh wheel design as part of the ‘Performance Pack’ and a new exterior colour. 

Not so long ago the sedan seemed to be on its last legs in the Aussie new-car market. But EVs, the Tesla Model 3 in particular, have changed that. And now a new liftback-style electric sedan, the MG IM5 has arrived to challenge not only the Tesla but other EV five-seaters from BYD (Seal), Hyundai (Ioniq 6) and Polestar (2).

After more than two years in market here GWM’s compact, pure-electric Ora hatch has been upgraded with improvements to battery power, additional tech, revised pricing and a ground-breaking switch in production from China to Thailand.

The latest safety assessment results released by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) have confirmed maximum five-star results for a trio of recent arrivals - the Kia Carnival, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Skoda Superb.

Lexus has used one of the world’s most high-profile automotive events to unveil what it is positioning as a “progressively styled, future-focused yet truly authentic sportscar”, with the clear potential to form the basis of the upcoming LFR, a successor to the brand’s iconic V10-powered LFA supercar.‘The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering’ is an exclusive cornerstone of Monterey Car Week, as the name implies, a week-long celebration of the motor car consisting of everything from casual cars & coffee-style meet-ups to high-end auctions and VIP-only concours events.The event is held at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel on the central California coast and the sinister, sweeping two-door machine, said to “signal the way forward for Lexus design” was its surprise centrepiece.The new Lexus concept’s long nose and fat haunches point to a front engine rear-drive layout which aligns with what’s known of the Lexus LFR, the likely LFA successor.Pre-production LFR prototypes have been snapped on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit within the last 12 months with reports out of Japan suggesting the hybrid V8-powered machine is a Lexus variation of 2022’s Toyota GR GT3 concept.In 2022 Toyota Racing Development President David Wilson confirmed a link between the GR GT3 and a future Lexus model and later that year images leaked from an apparent Lexus dealer conference in the US showed a Toyota GR GT3 silhouette with a Lexus badge and no rear wing.Japanese publication BestCar has referenced its usually reliable industry sources backing up the adoption of a front-mounted hybrid 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine driving the LFR’s rear wheels, the engine alone expected to produce 530kW with total output of around 660kW (885hp).This compares to the 420kW/480Nm produced by the LFA’s screaming 4.8-litre, naturally aspirated, Yamaha-developed V10 boasting a rev ceiling of 9000rpm.Just 500 LFAs were produced between 2010 and 2012 (plus 64 'Nurburgring Package' examples) but the LFR is expected to be a no-limit full-production model.Lexus is staying tight-lipped on any technical details relating to its latest concept, saying simply, “This inspiring concept car features a wide, low-profile two-door form that blends dynamic and emotional elements into a vision for a next-generation sports car.”Is this the 2026 Lexus LFR hiding in plain sight? Stay tuned…

The rise and rise of Chery’s premium export subsidiary Omoda | Jaecoo continues with confirmation the Jaecoo J5 BEV, a premium small pure-electric SUV is coming to Australia.

Peugeot's 2008 GT Hybrid is the flagship of the French maker's local premium small SUV line-up. It looks sleek and is powered by a small capacity three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine with relatively modest electrical support. We spent some time with it to determine if it's price premium over more mainstream options is justified.