Automobile (magazine)
Automobile was an American automobile magazine published by the Motor Trend Group. A group of former employees of Car and Driver led by David E. Davis founded Automobile in 1986 with support from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation[2][3]—using the credo No Boring Cars.[4] Automobile distinguished itself as more of a lifestyle magazine than the other automotive publications, an editorial theme that Davis greatly expanded upon from his tenure as the editor of Car and Driver, though it was a sister publication to Motor Trend.
![]() The June 2008 cover of Automobile. | |
Editor | Mike Floyd |
---|---|
Categories | Automobile magazine |
Frequency | Monthly/10 issues per year[1] |
Total circulation (2016) | 278,238 |
Founder | David E. Davis |
First issue | April 1986 |
Final issue | February 2020 |
Company | Motor Trend Group |
Country | United States |
Based in | Los Angeles |
Language | American English |
Website | www |
ISSN | 0894-3583 |
OCLC | 31735584 |
Unlike most other automobile magazines, Automobile did not often do instrumented tests of cars or provide much technical data. Instead, the reviews of vehicles were subjective experiential reports with the cars in their naturally intended, real world environment. Additionally, Automobile reserved a good portion of each issue covering vehicles no longer in production, but still relevant to collectors or automotive history as a whole. For example, the magazine included features such as "Collectible Classic," an in-depth review of a particular older car, and reports from recent classic and antique car auctions. Automobile also had a regular column by former General Motors designer Robert Cumberford, who analyzed styling elements of current production models and show cars, often linking their design to those of older cars.[5]
In December 2019, Motor Trend Group subsidiary TEN Publishing announced that it would discontinue publication of Automobile.[6] Its final issue was dated February 2020. New content continues to be published on Automobile's website.
Publishers
- 1986–1991: News Corporation
- 1991–2007: Primedia
- 2007–2014: Source Interlink Media
- 2014–2017: TEN: The Enthusiast Network
- 2017–2020: Motor Trend Group
Awards
Automobile of the Year
From 1990 to 2014, Automobile awarded their "Automobile of the Year" to one car annually.[7]
- 1990: Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 1991: Acura NSX
- 1992: Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
- 1993: Chrysler Concorde / Dodge Intrepid / Eagle Vision
- 1994: Dodge / Plymouth Neon
- 1995: BMW M3
- 1996: Honda Civic
- 1997: Toyota RAV4
- 1998: Porsche Boxster
- 1999: Volkswagen New Beetle
- 2000: Ford Focus
- 2001: Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- 2002: Subaru Impreza WRX
- 2003: Nissan 350Z
- 2004: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
- 2005: Chrysler 300C
- 2006: BMW 3-Series
- 2007: Volkswagen GTI
- 2008: Audi R8
- 2009: Nissan GT-R
- 2010: Volkswagen GTI
- 2011: Chevrolet Volt
- 2012: Audi A7
- 2013: Tesla Model S
- 2014: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Automobile All-Stars
In 2015, Automobile replaced their "Automobile of the Year" award to the "Automobile All-Stars", naming multiple cars on the list annually.
- 2015: Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW i8, BMW 2-Series, Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, Ford Mustang, Honda Fit, Lamborghini Huracán, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Subaru WRX / WRX STI, Volkswagen Golf GTI[8]
- 2016: Ferrari 488 GTB, Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Mazda MX-5 Miata, McLaren 570S, Porsche Cayman GT4, Volkswagen Golf R, Volvo XC90[9]
- 2017: Acura NSX, BMW M2, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Honda Civic Hatchback Sport, Porsche 718 Cayman S, Volvo S90[10]
- 2018: Ford GT, Honda Accord Sport 2.0T, Honda Civic Type R, Lexus LC 500, McLaren 720S, Mercedes-AMG GT R, Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, Volvo V90 T6 AWD[11]
- 2019: BMW M2 Competition, Ferrari 812 Superfast, Hyundai Veloster N, McLaren 600LT, Mercedes-Benz G550, Nissan Altima SR 2.0T, Porsche 911 GT2 RS
- 2020: Bentley Continental GT V8, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Ferrari F8 Tributo, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Kia Telluride, Mazda3 Premium Pkg, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Toyota GR Supra
Design of the Year
- 1990: Nissan 300ZX
- 1991: Acura NSX
- 1992: Honda Civic VX Hatchback
- 1993: Mazda RX-7
- 1994: Saab 900
- 1995: Ferrari 456
- 1996: Ford Taurus
- 1997: GM EV1
- 1998: Chrysler Concorde
- 1999: BMW M Coupe
- 2000: Audi TT
- 2001: Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon
- 2002: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
- 2003: BMW Z4
- 2004: Toyota Prius
- 2005: BMW 6-Series
- 2006: Pontiac Solstice
- 2007: Aston Martin V8 Vantage
- 2008: Audi R8
- 2009: Audi A5
- 2010: Nissan Cube
- 2011: Jaguar XJ
- 2012: Fisker Karma
- 2013: Porsche Boxster
- 2014: BMW i8
- 2015: Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
- 2016: Ford GT
- 2017: Volvo S90
- 2018: Tesla Model 3
- 2019: BMW 8-Series
- 2020: Porsche Taycan
References
- Floyd, Mike (June 15, 2017). "Automobile Magazine Gets Bigger, Bolder, Better". Automobile. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Grimes, William (2011-03-28). "David Davis Jr. Dies at 80". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2013-11-06.
- "Auto Magazine Founder David E. Davis Jr. Dies". SFGate. Hearst Communications. 2011-03-28.
- "David E. Davis, Jr., Automotive Journalism's "Hemingway on Wheels," Is Dead". Insideline.com. 2011-03-28.
- "Top 10 National Automotive Magazines - Cision". 26 June 2013.
- "Exclusive: TEN Publishing Is Shuttering 19 Car Magazines". Folio. 2019-12-06.
- "25 Years of Automobile of the Year". Automobile. November 18, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- "2015 Automobile All-Stars". Automobile. January 1, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- St. Antoine, Arthur (March 22, 2016). "2016 Automobile All-Stars: The Winners". Automobile. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- "2017 Automobile All-Stars: The Winners". Automobile. March 11, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- "2018 Automobile All-Stars: The Winners". Automobile. March 10, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2019.