Automóvil Panamericano
Encyclopedia
Automóvil Panamericano or simply Automóvil (Spanish
for "Panamerican automobile") is a Mexican
automotive
enthusiast magazine
first published on 1995. Owned by Motorpress-Televisa
and partner of the German
Auto, Motor und Sport
, it's been lead to become the ninth most read magazine in Mexico, and the most read Spanish language automotive magazine in the world.
Critical testing, motor sports and buyers guidance have been a regular since its founding.
The first renewal of the magazine was issued in February 2002 as editorial director Ricardo Chan Robles took the charge. The magazine's frame changed to black and the logo was refresed, using now a bolder typography.
counterpart of the magazine. It featured from 2003 to 2008 on Televisa
's Galavision (Channel 9).
program first broadcoast in march 2007 in W Radio (96.9 MHz FM, 900 MHz AM & Online) of Televisa Radio
.
Automóvil Digital is a running online
proyect appeared in July 2007 to distribute a digital version of the magazine to a VIP readers list.
MyAutomovil.com is the online
counterpart appeared for the Latin market in North America in march 2008 (WWW.MYAUTOMOVIL.COM).
The cover showed 20 exotic cars that were considered the best of the world, featuring the Pagani Zonda S
, the Ferrari 550 Maranello and the Mini Cooper.
The ten-year anniversary commemorative was launched on February 15, 2005. The frame now changed to red and were added up to 30 pages. In the cover featured the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
. The cover had remained the same since then.
On February 15, 2010 was launched the magazine special edition 15th anniversary.
. After the deadline, a winner would be chosen and the results of the survey would be published on the following month's issue.
However, in 1999 the contest's rules underwent a major renewal, resulting in the Best Cars of the Year contest, in which the favourite automobile for each category
would be picked by readers, no longer having to review their own car; the contestants would send their answers via post mail as before.
Since 2003, actual silver prizes would be awarded to the people-chosen winning cars; marques would send a representative to collect the small statue at a special ceremony. Additionally, a special golden award to the Best Car of the Year (overall) would be given.
!Issues!!Editor
|-
|Mar 1995 - Apr 1999||Juan Hernández
|-
|May 1999 - Mar 2001||Juan Manuel García
|-
|Apr 2001 - Mar 2002||Ricardo Chan Robles
|-
|Apr 2002 - May 2002||José Carlos de Mier
|-
|Jun 2002 - Aug 2004||Fernando Miranda
|-
|Sep 2004 - May 2008||Javier Barranco
|-
|Jun 2008 - Feb 2010 ||Fernando Carrión
|-
|Feb 2010 - ||Héctor Ocampo
|jun 2011- [ Christian Skertchly
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
for "Panamerican automobile") is a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
automotive
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
enthusiast magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
first published on 1995. Owned by Motorpress-Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
and partner of the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Auto, Motor und Sport
Auto, Motor und Sport
auto motor und sport , often abbreviated to AMS, is a leading German automobile magazine. It is published fortnightly by Motor Presse Netzwerk subsidiary Motor Presse Stuttgart, a specialist magazine publisher that is 59.9% owned by the publishing house Gruner + Jahr.The magazine, originally...
, it's been lead to become the ninth most read magazine in Mexico, and the most read Spanish language automotive magazine in the world.
Critical testing, motor sports and buyers guidance have been a regular since its founding.
History
Originally based on the Spanish magazine Automóvil Fórmula (issued since 1978), the first issue of Automóvil Panamericano was officially released on 15 January 1995, whereas a sample #0 issue had appeared months earlier in October 1994. The layout of this first issue's cover would retain a simple style that would too abide until today, presenting Automovils logo on the top header, the months' featured tested car centered, further tests on the bottom and various articles elsewhere.The first renewal of the magazine was issued in February 2002 as editorial director Ricardo Chan Robles took the charge. The magazine's frame changed to black and the logo was refresed, using now a bolder typography.
Sister projects
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
counterpart of the magazine. It featured from 2003 to 2008 on Televisa
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
's Galavision (Channel 9).
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
program first broadcoast in march 2007 in W Radio (96.9 MHz FM, 900 MHz AM & Online) of Televisa Radio
Televisa
Televisa is a Mexican multimedia conglomerate, the largest mass media company in Latin America and in the Spanish-speaking world. It is a major international entertainment business, with much of its programming airing in the United States on Univision, with which it has an exclusive contract...
.
Automóvil Digital is a running online
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
proyect appeared in July 2007 to distribute a digital version of the magazine to a VIP readers list.
MyAutomovil.com is the online
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
counterpart appeared for the Latin market in North America in march 2008 (WWW.MYAUTOMOVIL.COM).
Special issues
On May 15, 2003 was launched the magazine number 100th. The cover was coloured yellow and were added up to 50 pages.The cover showed 20 exotic cars that were considered the best of the world, featuring the Pagani Zonda S
Pagani Zonda
The Pagani Zonda is a sports car built by the Italian manufacturer Pagani. It debuted in 1999, and production ended in 2011. As of June 2009, 206 Zondas had been built, including test mules. Both 2-seat coupe and convertible versions have been produced. Construction is mainly of carbon...
, the Ferrari 550 Maranello and the Mini Cooper.
The ten-year anniversary commemorative was launched on February 15, 2005. The frame now changed to red and were added up to 30 pages. In the cover featured the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is an Anglo-German grand tourer car jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and McLaren Automotive, built in Portsmouth and the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England and sold from 2003 to 2009...
. The cover had remained the same since then.
On February 15, 2010 was launched the magazine special edition 15th anniversary.
Car of the Year
Since its first issue, Automóvil Panamericano would raffle off a brand new automobile with the Juzge su coche y gane un coche contest (Judge your car and win a car). The readers would review several aspects of their current car (if they had any) and send the answer sheet via post mail to Automóvils headquarters in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
. After the deadline, a winner would be chosen and the results of the survey would be published on the following month's issue.
However, in 1999 the contest's rules underwent a major renewal, resulting in the Best Cars of the Year contest, in which the favourite automobile for each category
Car classification
Cars may be classified by a number of different criteria; however, comprehensive classification is elusive, because a vehicle may fit into multiple categories, or not completely satisfy the requirements for any. This article details the most commonly used systems of classification. Where...
would be picked by readers, no longer having to review their own car; the contestants would send their answers via post mail as before.
Since 2003, actual silver prizes would be awarded to the people-chosen winning cars; marques would send a representative to collect the small statue at a special ceremony. Additionally, a special golden award to the Best Car of the Year (overall) would be given.
Juzge su coche y gane un coche
- 1995 Prize: BMW 325iBMW 3 SeriesThe BMW 3 Series is a compact executive car manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. Successor to the BMW New Class, it has been produced in five different generations and in no less than five different body styles. It is BMW's best-selling model, accounting for around 30% of the...
- 1996 Mercury SableMercury SableThe Sable was a very important sedan for both Mercury and the American auto industry.Ford had lagged in introducing mid-size front wheel drive cars to compete against General Motors' Chevrolet Citation and its best-selling Chevrolet Celebrity/Pontiac 6000/Oldsmobile Cutlass/Buick Century quartet as...
- Prize: Land Rover DiscoveryLand Rover DiscoveryThe Discovery was introduced into the United Kingdom in 1989. The company code-named the vehicle "Project Jay". The new model was based on the chassis and drivetrain of the more upmarket Range Rover, but with a lower price aimed at a larger market segment and intended to compete with Japanese... - 1997 Pontiac Grand PrixPontiac Grand PrixPicking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
- Prize: Volkswagen New BeetleVolkswagen New Beetle-Specifications:*Dimension:**Length: **Width: **Height: **Wheelbase: **Curb weight: *Max speed: 177–210 km/h *Acceleration : 6.5-13.2 sec-Body styles:-Engine choices:-Safety:... - 1998 Audi A6Audi A6The Audi A6 is an executive car marketed by the German automaker Audi AG, now in its fourth generation. As the successor to the Audi 100, the A6 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany – and is available in saloon, and wagon configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.All generations...
(Mediano) - Prize: Peugeot 306Peugeot 306The Peugeot 306 is a small family car built by the French car manufacturer Peugeot from 1993 to 2002 replacing the 309. Peugeot gave the 306 many updates and aesthetic changes to keep up the competition but it was replaced by the 307 in 2001. Cabriolet and estate versions continued until 2002...
Best Cars
- 1999 Prize: Audi A3Audi A3The Audi A3 is a small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Touran as well as SEAT...
- 2000 Prize: Volkswagen JettaVolkswagen JettaAlthough the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
- 2001 Prize: Volkswagen New Beetle Turbo
- 2002 Prize: Mercedes C200K Estate
Best Cars and Car of the Year
- 2003 Renault MéganeRenault MéganeThe Renault Mégane is a small family car produced by the French automaker Renault since 1995. It is offered in 3- and 5-door hatchback, saloon, coupé, convertible and estate bodystyles...
(Prize: Audi A3) - 2004 Porsche CayennePorsche CayenneThe Porsche Cayenne is a five seat mid-size luxury crossover manufactured by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. Its platform was developed by Porsche and is shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. It is the first V8-engined vehicle...
(Car of the Year) - Prize: Chrysler CrossfireChrysler CrossfireThe Chrysler Crossfire is a rear-wheel drive sports car marketed by Chrysler as both coupé and roadster and was built for Chrysler by Karmann of Germany.-Design:... - 2005 Volkswagen JettaVolkswagen JettaAlthough the Golf had reached considerable success, in the North American markets, Volkswagen observed that the hatchback body style lacked some of the appeal to those who preferred the traditional three-box configuration...
(Car of the Year) - Prize: SEAT AlteaSEAT AlteaThe SEAT Altea is a compact MPV produced by Spanish automaker SEAT, S.A. and named after Altea, Spain. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de'Silva and launched in 2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look... - 2006 Volkswagen Bora (Car of the Year) - Prize: Suzuki Grand Vitara
- 2007 Volkswagen Golf GTI (Car of the Year) - Prize: Audi A3 TDIAudi A3The Audi A3 is a small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen Group A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Caddy and Volkswagen Touran as well as SEAT...
- 2008 Prize: Mazda Miata
- 2009 Audi R8 (Car of the Year) - Prize: Fiat 500 SportFiat 500The Fiat 500 is a car produced by the Fiat company of Italy between 1957 and 1975, with limited production of the Fiat 500 K estate continuing until 1977. The car was designed by Dante Giacosa....
- 2010 Prize: Suzuki KizashiSuzuki KizashiThe Suzuki Kizashi is a mid-size car, unveiled in the United States on July 30, 2009. The Kizashi went on sale in Japan on October 21, 2009, in North America on December 1, 2009, and in Australia and New Zealand on May 11, 2010. The Kizashi is the first mid-size Suzuki automobile sold in the...
- 2011 Prize: Audi A1Audi A1The Audi A1 is a supermini-class car launched by Audi at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Sales of the initial three door A1 model started in Germany in August 2010, with the United Kingdom following in November 2010...
- 2012 Prize:
Editorial direction
{| class=wikitable align=center!Issues!!Editor
|-
|Mar 1995 - Apr 1999||Juan Hernández
|-
|May 1999 - Mar 2001||Juan Manuel García
|-
|Apr 2001 - Mar 2002||Ricardo Chan Robles
|-
|Apr 2002 - May 2002||José Carlos de Mier
|-
|Jun 2002 - Aug 2004||Fernando Miranda
|-
|Sep 2004 - May 2008||Javier Barranco
|-
|Jun 2008 - Feb 2010 ||Fernando Carrión
|-
|Feb 2010 - ||Héctor Ocampo
|jun 2011- [ Christian Skertchly
External links
- Automóvil Online - official site
- Motorpress Ibérica - official site
- Motorpresse International - official site