"This was certainly the magazines most comprehensive redesign in a long time; having said that, it remains true to the essence of the brand," commented art director Chris Agenbag. "The new look is all about showcasing our content in a fresh, but most importantly accessible manner. A crucial part of the process was to make sure our readers remain comfortable within the pages of the magazine."
New design elements include quick-read fact boxes, photo essays that tell the story in an uncluttered, visually appealing way and small maps reflecting where the journalists have travelled to get the story.
"We have made quite significant changes, but the one thing we haven't changed is our editorial pillars," explained editor, Steve Smith. "Our focus has been on restyling the content while at the same time ensuring it remains familiar to our loyal readers, who are highly invested in the brand. We remain committed to the independent road tests and useful consumer insights that are its trademark."
The contents have been restructured to create a more natural flow, he said. There is a logical progression from the first time the team hears about a vehicle (covered in 'Insights') to their first driving impressions, in-depth road tests and well-researched technical information, before moving to all the facts and figures readers need to know to support their purchase decision. The issue finishes with a substantial 'Speed' section covering motorsport.
"We've also introduced a new, quirky section on five things readers wouldn't know, so there are genuine surprises as they turn the pages," he concluded.
The November issue of CAR is bagged with the popular annual value-add Chrono supplement.
