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Alastair Crooks

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews. Days off are also car-related for Alastair, regularly attending car shows and track days.

Alastair says…

“As a Staff Writer for Auto Express I speak with leading figures in the automotive industry and see what changes are in store for the future. It’s fascinating to see how different firms are planning ahead, especially with the switch to electric cars. I also get the opportunity to test the latest cars, which is always a real honour. The unique benefit of working for Auto Express is our strength in depth, we cover everything from vans to supercars!”

Alastair’s main areas of expertise

  • News writing
  • Reviews
  • Feature writing 
  • Social media

Alastair Crooks Q&A 

Q: What was your first car?

A: “My first car was a Mk1 Ford Focus. It was a Zetec model with a 99bhp, 1.6-litre petrol under the bonnet. It wasn’t fast by any means but it felt solid enough and had a great balance to it. I’d like to think my skills behind the wheel have improved since I parted with my Focus so I’d love to revisit it again to see if the driving experience still holds up.”

Q: What is your dream car? 

A: “I won’t ever give a straightforward answer to this question because it’s purely mood dependent. I simply have to drive an E46 M3 at some point to see if it lives up to the hype (although the same could be said of every JDM icon from the 1990s), but I also love estates and the king of the genre is undoubtedly the V10 M5 Touring.” 

“Away from BMWs, I drove a Ferrari 458 many years ago and that is a car that’s always stuck with me. The Speciale version would probably do me just fine.”

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

A: “Whenever I come back from driving in Europe I’m always reminded that UK roads are atrocious. I’m not just talking about poor driving etiquette but rather actual road surfaces simply inadequate for cars. Oh, and if fuel prices could come down a bit as well that would be nice.”

Social media and e-mail 

e-mail: alastair.crooks@carwow.co.uk

Fiat ‘Mega-Panda’ leads surprise concept car blitz that uncovers bold future model plans
Fiat concept city car

Fiat ‘Mega-Panda’ leads surprise concept car blitz that uncovers bold future model plans

Four other all-electric concept car models were revealed with wild styling
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26 Feb 2024
New Jeep Avenger 4xe will bring some off-road bite to Jeep's baby
Jeep Avenger RXE

New Jeep Avenger 4xe will bring some off-road bite to Jeep's baby

Jeep’s 4xe mild-hybrid system finally brings 4x4 capability to brand’s smallest SUV
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26 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: make Morgan Plus Four ownership a reality with new half-now, half-later offer
Morgan Plus Four - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: make Morgan Plus Four ownership a reality with new half-now, half-later offer

Thanks to Morgan’s ‘Advance Payment Plan’ the Plus Four looks more tempting than ever - making it our Deal of the Day for 23 February
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23 Feb 2024
New Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition is one of the UK’s cheapest EVs
Vauxhall Corsa Electric Yes Edition - front

New Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition is one of the UK’s cheapest EVs

The new Corsa Yes Edition will be available to order online only from 17 April, taking styling cues from sporty GS
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23 Feb 2024
Hyundai i20 N Line returns to supermini range
2024 Hyundai i20 N Line - front static

Hyundai i20 N Line returns to supermini range

The i20 was facelifted in 2023 without the sporty N Line derivative
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23 Feb 2024
New Volkswagen T-Roc spotted: this could be the firm’s final petrol car
New Volkswagen T-Roc - front

New Volkswagen T-Roc spotted: this could be the firm’s final petrol car

The next-generation T-Roc looks set to be the last new Volkswagen model offered with petrol power in Europe
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22 Feb 2024
Tesla Cybertruck rust issues addressed by Tesla engineer
Tesla Cybertruck - front

Tesla Cybertruck rust issues addressed by Tesla engineer

A Tesla Cybertruck engineer has said that rust appearing on the all-electric truck is merely loose surface-level particles
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22 Feb 2024
Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail harks back to the Alpine 220’s motorsport heyday
Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail (blue) - front 3/4 static

Zagato AGTZ Twin Tail harks back to the Alpine 220’s motorsport heyday

Zagato’s latest creation is based on an Alpine A110 and costs well over half a million pounds
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22 Feb 2024
New Mercedes CLE Cabriolet goes on sale in the UK: summer starts here!
Mercedes CLE Cabriolet - front

New Mercedes CLE Cabriolet goes on sale in the UK: summer starts here!

The drop-top executive arrives with diesel and petrol power
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21 Feb 2024
Volkswagen ChatGPT to gain ‘level 2’ software update later this year
Steve Fowler in the Volkswagen Golf facelift at CES

Volkswagen ChatGPT to gain ‘level 2’ software update later this year

A ‘two-way conversation’ will soon be possible with your new Volkswagen
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21 Feb 2024
Volkswagen Touareg review
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI 4MOTION Black Edition – main image

Volkswagen Touareg review

The VW Touareg is a quick, comfortable and refined luxury SUV that comes loaded with clever technology
In-depth reviews
21 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Land Rover Defender looks the business at £324 per month
Defender Hard Top - downhill off road

Car Deal of the Day: Land Rover Defender looks the business at £324 per month

The current Defender is a fantastic SUV van for businesses and is our Car Deal of the Day for 20 February
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20 Feb 2024
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Car Deal of the Day: SEAT Leon is a sporty family hatch for under £200 per month
SEAT Leon e-Hybrid - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: SEAT Leon is a sporty family hatch for under £200 per month

This SEAT Leon comes in stylish FR trim and is our Deal of the Day for 19 February
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19 Feb 2024
New Dacia Spring to be revealed in full on 21 February
Dacia Spring teaser

New Dacia Spring to be revealed in full on 21 February

Dacia’s budget EV will come with a new look and upgraded technology for its UK launch
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19 Feb 2024
MINI Cooper E goes back to basics with cut price ‘Classic’ trim level
MINI Cooper E Classic - front tracking

MINI Cooper E goes back to basics with cut price ‘Classic’ trim level

The all-electric MINI retains its retro-inspired design but gains new technology
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16 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: make the electric switch with a Subaru Solterra at £252 per month
Subaru Solterra - front static

Car Deal of the Day: make the electric switch with a Subaru Solterra at £252 per month

The Subaru Solterra is a practical family EV for a bargain price - making it our Deal of the Day for 16 February
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16 Feb 2024
New Volvo P1800 Cyan GT is the ultimate Swedish restomod
Volvo P1800 Cyan GT - front

New Volvo P1800 Cyan GT is the ultimate Swedish restomod

Cyan Racing has revealed the latest version of its iconic P1800, based on the Volvo cult classic
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15 Feb 2024
New 2024 Renault Trafic E-Tech aims to be the ideal tool for environmentally-conscious tradespeople
Renault Trafic E-Tech - front action

New 2024 Renault Trafic E-Tech aims to be the ideal tool for environmentally-conscious tradespeople

Renault's all-electric van is on sale now from £34,500 and with up to 186 miles of range
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14 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Renault Clio now with a £1,000 deposit contribution
Renault Clio - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: updated Renault Clio now with a £1,000 deposit contribution

You can drive away in a brand new Clio for just £248 a month with this offer direct from Renault - our Deal of the Day for 13 February
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13 Feb 2024
New Toyota Proace Verso and Proace City Verso electric MPVs look awfully familiar
Toyota Proace City Verso - front

New Toyota Proace Verso and Proace City Verso electric MPVs look awfully familiar

New all-electric van-based MPVs come from Toyota’s collaboration with Stellantis
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13 Feb 2024
Audi Q2 review
Audi Q2

Audi Q2 review

The Audi Q2 is a stylish crossover with big car features, but it’s dated and less well-finished than you might expect
In-depth reviews
12 Feb 2024
Jeep Renegade celebrates a decade on sale with 2024 update
2024 Jeep Renegade - front static

Jeep Renegade celebrates a decade on sale with 2024 update

The refreshed Renegade now starts from £30,500 and comes with all-new technology
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12 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: GWM ORA 03 is EV versatility for just £125 a month
GWM Ora 03 - front static

Car Deal of the Day: GWM ORA 03 is EV versatility for just £125 a month

The GWM ORA 03 is a capable little EV and at this bargain price it had to be our Deal of the Day for 9 February
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9 Feb 2024
James Bond’s Range Rover Safari from Octopussy reimagined as an EV by Lunaz
Lunaz Range Rover Classic - front

James Bond’s Range Rover Safari from Octopussy reimagined as an EV by Lunaz

Live out your Octopussy dreams with this drop-top 1983 Range Rover Classic, and perhaps a safari suit, too
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9 Feb 2024
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Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupe is a classy compact exec for £296 a month
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s 2 Series Gran Coupe is a classy compact exec for £296 a month

This BMW 2 Series blends premium appeal with excellent driving dynamics and a sub-£300 lease deal makes it our Deal of the Day for 8 February
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8 Feb 2024
Pagani Huayra Evo R: the latest exotic instalment in a long-running hypercar saga
Pagani Huayra R Evo - front quarter

Pagani Huayra Evo R: the latest exotic instalment in a long-running hypercar saga

The Evo R may be the most fearsome version of the Pagani Huayra yet
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8 Feb 2024
New Skoda Enyaq Coupe 2024 facelift review: same style and more substance
Skoda Enyaq Coupe 85 Edition Suite - front

New Skoda Enyaq Coupe 2024 facelift review: same style and more substance

We try the updated Skoda Enyaq in Coupe 85 form to see if the brand has made a front-runner in the family EV market
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7 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Hyundai i30 hatch does it all for just £179 per month
New Hyundai i30 driving - front

Car Deal of the Day: Hyundai i30 hatch does it all for just £179 per month

Well-equipped, practicality and good to drive, Hyundai i30 appeals on all counts, including price, making it our Deal of the Day for 6 February
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6 Feb 2024
Fiat 500 Collezione 1957 is a new special edition for fans of the Italian icon
Fiat 500 Collezione

Fiat 500 Collezione 1957 is a new special edition for fans of the Italian icon

Fiat says the new version is a “collectors’ edition” with just 1,957 units planned
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5 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: £254 per month for the award-winning Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai Ioniq 5 - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: £254 per month for the award-winning Hyundai Ioniq 5

With its futuristic design, cushy ride and a premium cabin, the Ioniq 5 is our Deal of the Day on Monday 5 February
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5 Feb 2024
MINI Clubman axed after 55 years and 1.1 million sales
MINI Clubman UK - front

MINI Clubman axed after 55 years and 1.1 million sales

The MINI Clubman was as wacky as it was popular but it’s come to the end of the road
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5 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Kamiq, one of the best small SUVs, for £191 per month
Skoda Kamiq front

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Kamiq, one of the best small SUVs, for £191 per month

A solid powertrain, handsome styling, a long equipment list and a tasty lease offer makes the Skoda Kamiq our Deal of the Day for Saturday 3 February 
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3 Feb 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra is a stylish family hatch for just £238 per month
Vauxhall Astra UK - full front

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra is a stylish family hatch for just £238 per month

It looks better than ever, features a smart cabin and the price is right so the Vauxhall Astra is our Car Deal of the Day for 2 February
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2 Feb 2024
Jaguar Land Rover CEO hits back over Range Rover theft issues
Range Rover action

Jaguar Land Rover CEO hits back over Range Rover theft issues

Insurance companies are “not using the data” according to CEO Adrian Mardell
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2 Feb 2024