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You are in... Forums > CAR feedback > CAR Magazine > The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

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TimPollard

Joined:

Sep 06

Posts: 505

TimPollard says:

The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

So, there's one week to go until the sparkly new, redesigned April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine. And that means it's time to give you, our most loyal forum users of CAR Online, a sneak preview of our thinking with the relaunched CAR.

Over the next week, we'll give you an exclusive early look at our thinking and many of the pages a week before it hits newsstands on Wednesday 25 February 2009. We want to tell you about the new look to whet your appetites and, hell, we're just too excited to wait a week!

Today I'll kick the story off with an overview of our refresh. Then tomorrow, editor Phil McNamara and art director Andy Franklin will reveal the reasons behind the changes – and we'll upload a sample of pages and snippets to fill you in on the changes afoot.

We're committed to bringing you the full smorgasbord of coverage you expect from CAR – from supercar stories to epic adventure drives, quirky car culture features to gob-smacking scoops, useful group tests to the big-hitting interviews that make sense of our changing industry. All written in intelligent fashion and presented with award-winning design values, mixing stunning photography with the pithy, incisive writing and the downright cojones to call a spade a spade.

So in the new April issue, we test the new Ford Focus RS Mk2, Jaguar XFR, Audi R8 V10, Citroen C3 Picasso and Porsche's first diesel – just five of the 22 new cars driven. Our renewed Giant Test pits the titchy Toyota iQ against the Smart, Fiat 500 and Toyota's own Aygo – and it's one of a smattering of new sections, as we've revived some of CAR's greatest hits (GBU is back! So is Insider!), more of which tomorrow.

So come back to this thread every day for the next week as we tell you more about this exciting new chapter in CAR's history. The reason for the change? Because you've told us what you wanted, and we listened. CAR is in a strong position, last week announcing an independently audited rise in circulation with a 6% increase, according to the official ABC figures. And that in a car magazine market down 10%... This is far from a knee-jerk redesign, instead representing a carefully considered refinement of everything CAR stands for.

We hope you enjoy the new mag. And we're sure you'll give us feedback here. We're looking forward to hearing your responses!

[This Topic has been modified by the Author]

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  • Posted 5 years ago (18 February 2009 15:08)
jacomoseven

Joined:

Sep 06

Posts: 1315

jacomoseven says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

Ga41,

If you thought you were late to this thread, I'm not even at the races.

Anyhow, my tuppence worth... I'm a CAR loyalist, every issue without fail, and suspect this redesign is therefore not aimed at me. Fine... if a "shoutier" cover helps my favourite magazine thrive then I'll put up with it and mourn the loss of the beautiful old subscriber editions quietly.

But I'd like to discuss content. I really like the April issue (although I suspect, perhaps a little unfairly, that this might be a "bumper" issue to support the relaunch). The return of Insider is very welcome indeed, as with GBU of course.

But... after trying to enforce a clear distinction between the newsy, gossipy web, and the more feature-led magazine, you are now back to putting all the news content in the mag, and making the website the poor relation again.

I had to be persuaded to move to the web for car news, and now wonder if I will continue to bother. To be honest I don't really have the time for it at work, and at home would prefer to read print rather than screen. The internet is critical for fast-moving stuff like football, but to be honest, I can a couple of weeks to read a drive story on a new car. If something really critical is happening in the industry - like the current crisis - then the business media will be alert to it anyhow.

So, CAR... what is the new philosophy for dividing content between web and magazine? I assume the old division is now dead.

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  • Posted 5 years ago (22 February 2009 23:03)
Robby1977

Joined:

Jan 08

Posts: 1681

Robby1977 says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

jacomoseven said:

.

But... after trying to enforce a clear distinction between the newsy, gossipy web, and the more feature-led magazine, you are now back to putting all the news content in the mag, and making the website the poor relation again.

I had to be persuaded to move to the web for car news, and now wonder if I will continue to bother. To be honest I don't really have the time for it at work, and at home would prefer to read print rather than screen. The internet is critical for fast-moving stuff like football, but to be honest, I can a couple of weeks to read a drive story on a new car. If something really critical is happening in the industry - like the current crisis - then the business media will be alert to it anyhow.

So, CAR... what is the new philosophy for dividing content between web and magazine? I assume the old division is now dead.



 


An interesting observation Jaco.

I too first ventured onto CAR online for scoops & similar that were missing from the magazine.

Whilst the revamp appears to encroach CAR online by reverting to printing scoops, over the last 6 months I have been seeing more conflicts between the 2 formats.

You know what though, my enthusiasm for the site hasn’t waned.

Two reasons, firstly, articles appear to never be copies; IE what you read in print adds to any subject that may have been covered previously online, elaborating on it. For EG, I had read online the story of the baby RR, yet still enjoyed reading about it in the mag without feeling like I’d read it all before.

Secondly, CAR online allows you to share debate, thoughts, compare views etc with like-minded petrolheads. This is half of my enjoyment with CAR online.

The magazine of course is something to keep & enjoy for many years to come, something I do with issues I own going back to 1991.
 

They say that a dog is mans best friend. This simple experiment proves this. Lock your missus and your dog in the boot of your car. Return to let them out after an hour and see which one is most pleased to see you....

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  • Posted 5 years ago (22 February 2009 23:49)
farmersboy

Joined:

Aug 06

Posts: 146

farmersboy says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

Well, I like the new format and content of the April issue - I was seriously considering not renewing my subscription, but now, for the first time inmonths, I actually enjoyed reading the thing.

The website is still a pile of crap though - the layout, the way it stutters in the forum, the crap animated ads (just echoes the magazine though; I mean, 8-odd pages of ads before you get to the 2 contents pages?), and the narrowness of it all - why isn't it sized to fit the screen?

 

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 07:58)
supercarrambler

Joined:

Jun 08

Posts: 1112

supercarrambler says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

On a positive Monday note, this April's mag is a stonker of a good read with fantastic internals that far rival any other motoring monthly  (still dislike the looks as per my other notes)

Attached images:

  1. Brabham  

Simplify and add lightness.

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 10:38)
livc44411

Joined:

Apr 08

Posts: 2366

livc44411 says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

Went to my newsagent today looking for the new issue (not subscribed),searched for a good 5mns,couldnt find it anywhere.....Oh,it hasnt come out yet! Plonker!

-Focus RS,Megane RS,you gotta love 'em-

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 17:47)
Robby1977

Joined:

Jan 08

Posts: 1681

Robby1977 says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

livc44411 said:

Went to my newsagent today looking for the new issue (not subscribed),searched for a good 5mns,couldnt find it anywhere.....Oh,it hasnt come out yet! Plonker!



 

Are you the man stood at the bus stop at 8am, waiting for your bus to work. On Sunday.... 

They say that a dog is mans best friend. This simple experiment proves this. Lock your missus and your dog in the boot of your car. Return to let them out after an hour and see which one is most pleased to see you....

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 19:14)
omgno3

Joined:

Jan 09

Posts: 130

omgno3 says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

supercarrambler said:

On a positive Monday note, this April's mag is a stonker of a good read with fantastic internals that far rival any other motoring monthly  (still dislike the looks as per my other notes)



 

Another positive is seeing Niki's fan car- Flat 12 Alfa Romeo, Gordon Murray, Brabham name, beautiful design and livery- I look forward to Tuesday now. Thank you supercarrambler.

Ta Ra.

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 19:33)
livc44411

Joined:

Apr 08

Posts: 2366

livc44411 says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

Robby1977 said:
livc44411 said:

Went to my newsagent today looking for the new issue (not subscribed),searched for a good 5mns,couldnt find it anywhere.....Oh,it hasnt come out yet! Plonker!



 

Are you the man stood at the bus stop at 8am, waiting for your bus to work. On Sunday.... 



 

I have been know to have got dressed and ready for work at 6am on a sunday morning yes

-Focus RS,Megane RS,you gotta love 'em-

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  • Posted 5 years ago (23 February 2009 22:05)
salvation

Joined:

Aug 06

Posts: 5

salvation says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

The quality of the journalism in the latest issue is up to the usual standard (quite high). The layout is acceptable and has a similar vibe to older issues (pre '06 overhaul).

In regards to the thorny issue of the cover I find it too busy and the group shot doesn't help matters. I understand that it's a cover that's trying to grab the attention of the masses of men in the magazine section of WH Smiths. But as subscriber I'm used to single image covers with minimal text, I hope that subscriber covers return. Oh by the way I don't mind the new slightly smaller size(in height ).

The link below is an overview of the new issue alongside some older issues.

www.flickr.com/photos/_salvation/3303429331/in/photostream/

[This Reply has been modified by the Author]

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  • Posted 5 years ago (24 February 2009 04:56)
farmersboy

Joined:

Aug 06

Posts: 146

farmersboy says:

Re: The inside story of the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine

I agree on the cover front - it's a bit of a dogs dinner to say the least.

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  • Posted 5 years ago (24 February 2009 07:28)
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