Articles by James Cleary

James Cleary
Deputy Editor

James Cleary is CarsGuide's Deputy Editor, with over four decades’ experience across automotive editorial, marketing, product planning and creative advertising.

He has written for national and international titles including Wheels, Drive, Carsales, Motor and Top Gear Australia providing everything from new product assessment and feature writing to industry analysis, news content and expert advice.

He’s spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.

James worked in the PR and advertising/sales promotion teams at Mercedes-Benz Australia and has managed the Marketing Communications and Product Planning functions for Peugeot Australia. He also directed advertising client service for Hyundai Motor Company Australia and Volvo Australia.

James has a Bachelors Degree in Communications from Macquarie University and driving qualifications from multiple advanced schools, including Ian Luff Motivation.

He has been a member of the CarsGuide team for 10 years and as Deputy Editor manages everything from sub-editing to back-end platforms while creating written and visual content.

Expertise

  • New product assessment
  • Industry analysis
  • News content
  • Expert advice
  • Feature writing

Experience

  • BMW Performance Driving School
  • Lamborghini Winter Accademia
  • Master Maserati Driving School
  • Mercedes-AMG Snow Performance School
  • Porsche Level 4 Master training
  • Volkswagen Driving Experience program

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts (MassComm) | Macquarie University | 1981-1984

Featured publications

New Integra Type S powers up!
By James Cleary · 12 Dec 2022
Honda, through its premium North American subsidiary Acura, has rebooted the iconic Integra nameplate, with an even sportier Type S variant now confirmed for launch in mid-2023.
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Volvo boss confirms affordable EX30 EV SUV
By James Cleary · 07 Dec 2022
Volvo's global CEO has confirmed the company's small EX30 EV SUV for production, and it's set to challenge the Tesla Model Y, Mercedes-Benz EQC and EQB, Genesis GV60 and BMW iX3.
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The combustion engine lives!
By James Cleary · 06 Dec 2022
Toyota's development of hydrogen for use in combustion engines has jumped from the race circuit to the road with the Corolla Cross H2 Concept
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Car brands that will struggle in the EV age
By James Cleary · 01 Dec 2022
The automotive world's seismic shift towards electric propulsion is picking up pace, but it could leave some brands, whose image is built largely on the attraction of the engines that power its products, in a tough spot. We've nominated five makers that might struggle to stay afloat as the EV tide rises.
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MG triple motor electric SUV flagship for Oz?
By James Cleary · 29 Nov 2022
MG's Australian sales have been growing like a teenager on a high-protein diet, and now it's been confirmed the second-generation version of its European halo model, the Marvel R Electric, will be built in right-hand drive. Stand-by for MG electric SUV luxury.
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First-ever Abarth EV confirmed for 2023!
By James Cleary · 23 Nov 2022
For the first time in its 70-plus year history the iconic Italian performance brand Abarth has launched a pure EV model, in the shape of the new Abarth 500e.
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Land Rover Defender 2023 review: 110 V8
By James Cleary · 14 Nov 2022
Available in a vast array of body, specification, and engine combinations the Land Rover Defender is as much at home in the bush as it is in the suburbs, and the supercharged 110 V8 is the most powerful of all. Is it the perfect full-size, high-performance, five-seat SUV for your family?
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Would you by a $5M car you couldn't drive?
By James Cleary · 11 Nov 2022
Five years after the Mercedes-AMG Project One concept broke cover at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, a full production example of the car, now simply called Mercedes-AMG One, has snatched Nurburgring lap record bragging rights, with a blistering lap of the
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Kia ute caught in the metal!
By James Cleary · 04 Nov 2022
A ute from Kia has been predicted, talked about, killed off, resurrected, electrified, and now it's been spotted testing in what appears to be close to production form. Here's everything we know about it.
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Even more performance for the new BMW M2!
By James Cleary · 01 Nov 2022
The new BMW M2 is coming to Australia in the first half of 2023, and the factory in Munich has announced a range of 'M Performance Parts' for those wanting a more hardcore and individual experience.
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