Wheels is an Australian automobile magazine published by Motoring Media Network. Founded in 1953 it was later owned by Australian Consolidated Press, Bauer Media and Are Media.

History

Wheels was founded in 1953 by Hudson Publications with Athol Yeomans its founding editor In June 1955 the publication was sold to KG Murray Publishing.

Since 1963, Wheels has annually announced its Car of the Year award, although this was withheld in 1972, 1979 and 1986. The award was established during Bill Tuckey's tenure as editor. Tuckey also instigated comparisons tests within the title.

By 1994, it was owned by Australian Consolidated Press.

It was announced in September 2010 that Bill Thomas, former deputy editor of Top Gear magazine in the UK, would take over as editor in November 2010.

In September 2012, it was included in the acquisition of Australian Consolidated Press' magazine by Bauer Media. In October 2012, it was announced that former Top Gear Australia magazine editor Stephen Corby was to become editor of Wheels, replacing Bill Thomas.

For the October 2013 issue, Ben Oliver drove a Volvo S60 from Melbourne to Sydney along the Hume Highway, and Wheels launched the "Raise the limit, lower the toll" petition to raise the speed limit to 130 km/h, as it is in the Northern Territory. The stunt received criticism from law enforcement agencies.

Glenn Butler was the publication’s editor from 2014 through 2016. He was replaced by Alex Inwood, former deputy editor of the magazine, who was appointed editor of Wheels in March 2017.

In the February 2018 issue, the magazine was redesigned with new fonts, thicker paper, a cleaner style and appearance and a greater emphasis on hero photography.

In the October 2020 issue, the publication’s editor, Alex Inwood, left the magazine. His replacement was former Motor editor, Dylan Campbell. In 2020, Wheels was included in the acquisition of Bauer Media's Austraian assets by Are Media.

From June 2022, the former editor of Motor, Andy Enright, was appointed as editor of Wheels. From June 2023, Wheels magazine celebrated its 70th anniversary with a trilogy of monthly issues themed around Past, Present and Future.

According to Roy Morgan, Wheels' 70th year saw an increase in circulation of 40.8% to reach 290,000 readers.

In 2023, Wheels won Brand Relaunch of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.

Wheels was acquired by Motoring Media Network in July 2024.

Editors

  • 1953-56 Athol Yeomans