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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

Maserati MC20 Folgore electric supercar could be most powerful Maserati ever
Maserati MC20 Cielo - front static

Maserati MC20 Folgore electric supercar could be most powerful Maserati ever

More than 1,200bhp is expect from the MC20’s electric powertrain
News
30 Jan 2024
Super-luxury Maserati electric SUV to arrive in 2027
Maserati badge

Super-luxury Maserati electric SUV to arrive in 2027

The Italian firm plans to make its cars more luxurious than ever
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30 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Scala is a spacious family hatch for just £168 per month
Skoda Scala - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Scala is a spacious family hatch for just £168 per month

Roomy, cheap and well-built, the Scala feels like great value on a £168 monthly lease, making it our Car Deal of the Day for 29 January
News
29 Jan 2024
New Volkswagen Golf R facelift: four-wheel-drive hot hatch looks cool in the snow
Volkswagen Golf R facelift - front

New Volkswagen Golf R facelift: four-wheel-drive hot hatch looks cool in the snow

The hottest Golf has been spotted trying to cool off
News
29 Jan 2024
New Aston Martin Vantage facelift set for 12 February unveiling
Aston Martin Vantage teaser 2024

New Aston Martin Vantage facelift set for 12 February unveiling

The Aston Martin Vantage will get a new look for 2024 and a likely bump in power
News
29 Jan 2024
New Volkswagen Golf Estate facelift launched with mild-hybrid power and hot R version to follow
Volkswagen Golf Estate facelift - front

New Volkswagen Golf Estate facelift launched with mild-hybrid power and hot R version to follow

The roomy estate version of the Golf majors on practicality but shuns GTI hot hatch fun
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26 Jan 2024
Mercedes GLE review
Mercedes GLE 400e main image

Mercedes GLE review

The Mercedes GLE offers seven seats and the best cabin in its class, but it’s not cheap
In-depth reviews
25 Jan 2024
New Citroen Berlingo van is ready to work for £23,995
Citroen Berlingo van - front

New Citroen Berlingo van is ready to work for £23,995

The Berlingo van has received a mid-life facelift for 2024 and the new version is on sale now
News
25 Jan 2024
Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch to follow up facelift with special edition variant
Toyota GR Yaris 2024 - full front

Toyota GR Yaris hot hatch to follow up facelift with special edition variant

A new teaser video shows tribute cars for Toyota’s WRC drivers
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24 Jan 2024
New Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is a hot new coupe priced from £72,990
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 - front

New Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 is a hot new coupe priced from £72,990

This is the sportiest version so far of Mercedes’ new CLE, the car that took over from the C-Class and E-Class coupes
News
24 Jan 2024
New Volkswagen Golf GTI facelift is hotter than ever with 261bhp
Volkswagen Golf GTI facelift - front studio

New Volkswagen Golf GTI facelift is hotter than ever with 261bhp

In a bid to trump rivals in the hot hatch market, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has been given more power to go with its new look
News
23 Jan 2024
New 2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift arrives with updated styling and improved tech
Volkswagen Golf facelift - front

New 2024 Volkswagen Golf facelift arrives with updated styling and improved tech

The Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 gets a new look, plus updated engines and tech
News
23 Jan 2024
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Car Deal of the Day: Nissan X-Trail family-focused off-roader for £255 per month
Nissan X-Trail - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan X-Trail family-focused off-roader for £255 per month

You’ll be able to get the kids to school in all conditions with this Nissan X-Trail and the price is right, making it our Deal of the Day for 23 Janua…
News
23 Jan 2024
New Porsche Macan EV: specs, latest details and official sketches
Porsche Macan EV 2024 teaser - front

New Porsche Macan EV: specs, latest details and official sketches

Porsche’s all-electric Macan will receive the long-awaited PPE architecture
News
23 Jan 2024
New BMW i5 Touring estate is all set for its big reveal
BMW i5 Touring teaser - side

New BMW i5 Touring estate is all set for its big reveal

BMW’s electric estate will bring practicality and supercar-beating performance
News
22 Jan 2024
New Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift adds mild-hybrid power to the mix
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift - front

New Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift adds mild-hybrid power to the mix

The seven-seat Mercedes family SUV gets hot hatch power and slight exterior tweaks
News
22 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.3 is a fun, family EV for £264 per month
Volkswagen ID.3 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.3 is a fun, family EV for £264 per month

The ID.3 is an excellent electric offering with great range and a smart interior - that’s enough to make it our Car Deal of the Day
News
22 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen Polo offers a touch of class for £136 per month
Volkswagen Polo - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen Polo offers a touch of class for £136 per month

With solid build quality and a frugal engine, this cheap VW Polo is our Car Deal of the Day for 20 January
News
20 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: new Honda Civic with a whopping £4,000 discount
Honda Civic - front static

Car Deal of the Day: new Honda Civic with a whopping £4,000 discount

The latest Honda Civic has never looked so affordable at £279 per month - making it our Car Deal of the Day for 19 January
News
19 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Just launched Peugeot 2008 facelift for only £161 per month
Peugeot 2008 facelift - front static

Car Deal of the Day: Just launched Peugeot 2008 facelift for only £161 per month

Peugeot’s new 2008 has the technology to back up its stand-out looks making it our Deal of the Day for 18 January
News
18 Jan 2024
Hyundai Bayon gets a midlife makeover for 2024
2024 Hyundai Bayon - front static

Hyundai Bayon gets a midlife makeover for 2024

New exterior design and a technology boost up the game of Hyundai’s smallest SUV
News
18 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen Taigo coupe-SUV dips under £200 per month
Volkswagen Taigo - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen Taigo coupe-SUV dips under £200 per month

Find the T-Cross too boring? Volkswagen’s stylish Taigo SUV is here at £199 per month for our 17 January Deal of the Day
News
17 Jan 2024
New 2024 Tesla Model 3 facelift to hit the UK on 27 January
Tesla Model 3 - new and old Model 3 side by side

New 2024 Tesla Model 3 facelift to hit the UK on 27 January

Tesla’s revised Model 3 has more range than ever before
News
17 Jan 2024
Hyundai Kona Electric N Line adds some sporty flavour to our favourite EV
Hyundai Kona N-Line - front

Hyundai Kona Electric N Line adds some sporty flavour to our favourite EV

The Hyundai Kona Electric is now available in N Line and range-topping N Line S trim levels
News
17 Jan 2024
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New Vauxhall Mokka Electric Long Range does what it says on the tin
Vauxhall Mokka Long Range - front action

New Vauxhall Mokka Electric Long Range does what it says on the tin

The all-electric Vauxhall Mokka gains a bigger battery for more power and a range of up to 252 miles
News
17 Jan 2024
New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek arrives with plan to get tough in the family car sector 
New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek front

New 2024 Subaru Crosstrek arrives with plan to get tough in the family car sector 

The Subaru Crosstrek comes with four-wheel drive and a boxer engine from £34,290
News
16 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: stylish Mazda 3 is a great family hatchback for £209 per month
Mazda 3 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: stylish Mazda 3 is a great family hatchback for £209 per month

The Mazda 3 hatchback looks great, drives superbly and appeals to the wallet for just £209 a month, making it our Car Deal of the Day for 16 January
News
16 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: all-electric GWM ORA 03 catches the eye at £228 per month
GWM Ora 03 - front cornering

Deal of the Day: all-electric GWM ORA 03 catches the eye at £228 per month

The GWM ORA 03 comes with the technology to back up the bold styling, making it our Deal of the Day for 15 January
News
15 Jan 2024
New 2025 Audi Q7: third-generation luxury SUV spied for the first time
Audi Q7 Mk3 (camouflaged) - front tracking

New 2025 Audi Q7: third-generation luxury SUV spied for the first time

Audi has started testing the next Q7 before the current model’s 2024 update
News
15 Jan 2024
It’s National Pothole Day and UK roads are worse than ever with £474m of damage to vehicles in 2023
Pothole

It’s National Pothole Day and UK roads are worse than ever with £474m of damage to vehicles in 2023

The Government has come up with a way to fund up to £100m of road repairs
News
15 Jan 2024
Sat-navs to display ‘Traffic Regulation Orders’ to better warn of road closures and diversions
Honda ZR-V - infotainment screen

Sat-navs to display ‘Traffic Regulation Orders’ to better warn of road closures and diversions

Short-term traffic measures such as temporary speed limits and road closures to be mandated on sat-nav systems
News
15 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: Grab the stylish Jeep Renegade for just £196 per month
Jeep Renegade - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Grab the stylish Jeep Renegade for just £196 per month

With chunky off-road looks and plenty of equipment, the Jeep Renegade is a compact SUV with bags of charm - making it our Deal of the Day for 12 Janua…
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12 Jan 2024
Hyundai Mobion concept looks like the ideal city car thanks to wild four-wheel steering
Hyundai Mobion concept

Hyundai Mobion concept looks like the ideal city car thanks to wild four-wheel steering

Hyundai’s Mobion can do a 360-degree turn and even drive completely sideways
News
12 Jan 2024
New Hyundai Ioniq 5 N NPX1 concept shows hot hatch’s true potential
 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N NPX1 concept - front

New Hyundai Ioniq 5 N NPX1 concept shows hot hatch’s true potential

The NPX1 previews a selection of N Performance Parts that’ll be offered on Hyundai’s EV hot hatch
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12 Jan 2024