Articles by Stephen Ottley

Stephen Ottley

Contributing Journalist

Steve has been obsessed with all things automotive for as long as he can remember. Literally, his earliest memory is of a car. Having amassed an enviable Hot Wheels and Matchbox collection as a kid he moved into the world of real cars with an Alfa Romeo Alfasud.

Despite that questionable history he carved a successful career for himself, firstly covering motorsport for Auto Action magazine before eventually moving into the automotive publishing world with CarsGuide in 2008. Since then he's worked for every major outlet, having work published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Drive.com.au, Street Machine, V8X and F1 Racing.

These days he still loves cars as much as he did as a kid and has an Alfa Romeo Alfasud in the garage (but not the same one as before... that's a long story).

How much more do you pay for an EV?

By Stephen Ottley · 31 Oct 2021

What is the true cost of an electric vehicle (EV)?

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Mazda officially gunning for premium brands

By Stephen Ottley · 31 Oct 2021

Australia has long been a Mazda stronghold. Now the Japanese brand is hoping to use the same principles that have worked here to make it more popular around the world.

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Ford’s EV plan is lacking

By Stephen Ottley · 30 Oct 2021

Remember when you were a kid at Christmas time and there’d be a big box under the tree. You’d get excited in anticipation that it was a new remote-control car or Hot Wheels set… only to open it and find out it was gardening tools or school supplies?

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Volvo’s XC90 Recharge could be a bargain

By Stephen Ottley · 28 Oct 2021

Volvo is synonymous with safety, but the Swedish brand is hoping that soon it will be famous for electrification too.

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Does Mitsubishi need another Pajero?

By Stephen Ottley · 27 Oct 2021

Australia’s love of the Mitsubishi Pajero transcends death. More than 2000 Pajero have been sold in 2021, despite production of the venerable off-roader officially ending in March and the car no longer officially part of the local line-up.

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BMW eyeing big outputs for new M2

By Stephen Ottley · 26 Oct 2021

BMW's all-new M2 won't need a 'drift mode' because it will be rear-wheel drive.While its direct rivals, the new Audi RS3 sedan and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45S, use all-wheel drive to help tame ever-increasing levels of power, BMW will stick with sending all of i

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Are incentives enough to buy an EV?

By Stephen Ottley · 23 Oct 2021

To modify a line from the 1980s American cinematic classic, Field of Dreams – “if you build appealing electric vehicles (EVs), will people come?”

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Tesla Cybertruck: Everything we know

By Stephen Ottley · 19 Oct 2021

Even by Elon Musk’s standards the unveiling of the Tesla Cybertruck was shocking.

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What is a hybrid car?

By Stephen Ottley · 19 Oct 2021

The definition of a hybrid car is easier to explain than the inner workings of one. In this guide we’ll try and answer all the important questions so that you can tell your series hybrid from a plug-in hybrid.

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Three new mid-size SUVs due soon

By Stephen Ottley · 16 Oct 2021

There’s good news for anyone looking to buy a mid-size SUV, but not so good for segment leaders Toyota and Mazda.

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