Top Gear’s magazine will be launching in South Africa towards the end of October for a special November launch issue. The iconic automotive television programme’s publication will be hitting the newsstands following a licensing agreement between Media24 Magazines and BBC Magazines. This is very exciting news for all automotive enthusiasts and fans of the biggest motoring media brand in the world.

The announcement was made by Media24 Magazine’s CEO John Relihan who is looking forward to working with BBC Magazines “in bringing this highly enriched experience in motoring magazine journalism to South Africa.”

Top Gear SA will be edited by the former editor of topCar magazine, Pierre Steyn, whose position is now available at Media24′s other automotive title.

A personal fan of Top Gear, Steyn commented on the huge popularity of the television programme amongst a cross section of South Africans and emphasized the magazine’s ability to deliver on its brand promise ”with careful attention to not simply repeat TV content.”

Steyn goes on to mention that “Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May will play a vital role in the magazine’s content as all three contribute monthly columns and features and rotate the Editor’s letter between them.”

It’s important to recognize that there is a very clear distinction between the current topCar magazine and the new Top Gear Magazine. Cherlene Beukes, general manager: Lifestyle Magazines at Media24, has stressed that while topCar is positioned as a consumer magazine with views from the showroom to the consumer, Top Gear is motoring entertainment at its very best.

The November launch issue of the Top Gear SA magazine will be available from 24 October at a cover price of R29.95