Wheels (magazine)

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Wheels is an Australian monthly automotive magazine published by Motoring Media Network. Based in Australia’s major cities, it is written in English and sold in Australia and New Zealand through online delivery and select retailers. The magazine is well known among Australian car enthusiasts and has a long-running rival in Motor, another Bauer-stable title that focuses more on performance cars.

Origins and history
Wheels was founded in 1953. The idea came from Athol Yeomans, who at 21 convinced Hudson Publications to back a new motoring magazine. The first issue appeared in May 1953, priced at two shillings sixpence, and sold out quickly. The magazine proved popular, eventually selling about 60,000 copies a month. Since 1963, Wheels has announced its Car of the Year each year, though the award was not given in 1972, 1979 or 1986. The publication also popularized internal car tests and comparisons.

Editorial and design changes
Over the years Wheels has seen several editors. Bill Thomas took over in 2010, followed by Stephen Corby in 2012. Glenn Butler edited the magazine from 2014 to 2016, and Alex Inwood became editor in 2017. The 2018 issue featured a redesign with new typography, thicker paper, and stronger photography. In 2020, Alex Inwood left and Dylan Campbell, formerly of Motor, became editor. In June 2022, Andy Enright, the former editor of Motor, became Wheels’ editor. The magazine celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023 with a three-part monthly series on Past, Present and Future, and that year Wheels won Brand Relaunch of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards. In July 2024, Wheels was sold to Motoring Media Network.

Notable campaigns and popularity
In October 2013, Wheels helped launch the “Raise the limit, lower the toll” petition to increase the speed limit to 130 km/h on certain roads, drawing widespread media attention and support from Australian motoring enthusiasts. The magazine is a staple in the Australian car scene and, in its 70th year, reported a significant rise in readership.

Ownership changes
Wheels was originally published by Bauer Media. Bauer’s Australian media interests were sold to Are Media in June 2020. In July 2024, Wheels was acquired by Motoring Media Network and continues to publish monthly content for Australian readers.