The very first issue of Top Gear Magazine.
Top Gear is the name of a magazine published by BBC Worldwide since October 1993. At its peak in 2007, the magazine sold 200,000 copies each month, although 5 years later this had reduced to 150,000.
Many foreign versions of the magazine containing entirely different segments to the original UK version have also been published, with the first of these, the Philippines edition, debuting in 2004 and featuring Jeremy Clarkson writing his own unique contributions. Although this version was discontinued in 2018, many other countries produce their own versions of the magazine, often carrying the UK version translated as an alternative.
In 2001, an exclusive spin-off centred around supercars, imaginatively titled Top Gear Supercars, was released that summer. Eighteen further issues have been released since.
For a list of issues, please visit Top Gear Magazine/List of issues.
Editors[]
Since 1993, the magazine has had four main editors:
- Kevin Blick: The first editor-in-chief, overseeing issues #1 through #116.
- Michael Harvey: The second editor-in-chief, overseeing issues #117 through #190.
- Conor McNicholas: Third editor-in-chief, overseeing issues #197 through #206, leaving after just 10 issues.
- Charlie Turner: Acting editor-in-chief for issues #191 through #196, fourth editor-in-chief since issue #207.
Contributors[]
Over the years, there have been many contributors to the magazine, including on-screen personalities both before and after they appeared on either televised incarnation of Top Gear.
- Jeremy Clarkson: A full-time contributor since the very first issue, he became a part-time columnist following his departure from the original version of the show in late 1998, occasionally returning to promote his latest home video or giving his exclusive thoughts on a particular subject. He'd return to a full-time role in October 2001.
- James May: May would begin writing for the magazine in 1999, and would continue to do so throughout his tenure off television, submitting content throughout 2000, 2001, and 2002 before being fired that year. He'd turn full-time in 2003 once rejoining Top Gear, and leave in 2015 alongside his fellow presenters.
- Pat Devereux: The only currently active columnist to have wrote on the magazine's inaugural October 1993 issue, having maintained his role for over 26 years as of 2019.
- Paul Horrell: Poached from Car Magazine in July 2004, Horrell remained an active contributor to the magazine following the dismissal of the trio.
- Jason Barlow: Despite leaving Top Gear in a televised capacity in 2002 and allowing his television contract to expire a year later, one-time main host Barlow would remain with the magazine long after his departure from the programme, and maintains this role as of 2020.
Versions[]
Top Gear has been localized for the following markets:
- Australia (2008 - 2015)