The men behind the magic. Publisher Stuart Lowe and Editor John Bentley with the "Local Magazine of the Year" award.

How do you define cool? If cool is being popular, or successful, or influential, or appealing to South Africans of all ages and races, or having a respected and recognised opinion, then CAR must be SA’s coolest motoring or men’s interest title – a fact recently confirmed when it was voted both Local Magazine of the Year and Best Motoring title at the prestigious ADmag Awards.

Now in their 9th year the ADmag Awards recognise publishing excellence. So it’s a particular honour to win the top award as well as best in category in our 50th year – proof that CAR is experiencing no midlife crisis but is rather having a midlife rejuvenation!

The judges commented that “this magazine proved the value of branding. There is only one CAR magazine. It stayed within it’s field of expertise and has been rewarded by attracting a loyal following. Now 50 years young, it’s a giant in its category. From initial sales of 8 000 copies it is consistently selling in excess of 100 000 copies per issue. It has faced competition but despite this has held its position as South Africa’s favourite motoring read.”

Our research driven ‘refreshing’of the editorial package and design has been highly praised by readers far and wide – look out for the more expansive and attractive roadtests and features being phased in over the next few months. We’re aiming to improve and refine our offering continually, while remaining the reliable and authoritative read we’ve been for the past 50 years.

Life clearly begins at 50!