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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

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
Deal of the Day: Buy an updated 2024 Polestar 2, get a free home charger
Polestar 2 - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Buy an updated 2024 Polestar 2, get a free home charger

Polestar is offering a free Ohme charger to anyone buying a Polestar 2 - making it our Deal of the Day for 11 January
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11 Jan 2024
Abarth 600e to be brand’s most powerful car ever
Abarth 600e - front tracking

Abarth 600e to be brand’s most powerful car ever

The hot all-electric crossover will come with 237bhp and an “optimised chassis”
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11 Jan 2024
New Mazda 2 Hybrid: Toyota Yaris clone gets a 2024 facelift
Mazda 2 Hybrid facelift - front tracking

New Mazda 2 Hybrid: Toyota Yaris clone gets a 2024 facelift

Mazda 2 Hybrid takes notes from Toyota Yaris and brings its own mid-life upgrades
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10 Jan 2024
New Mercedes CLE 2024 review: a classy BMW 4 Series rival
Mercedes CLE - front

New Mercedes CLE 2024 review: a classy BMW 4 Series rival

The new Mercedes CLE borrows plenty from the C-Class and E-Class, and is packed with tech
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10 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: The Toyota bZ4X is a bargain electric family car at £270 per month
Toyota bZ4X - full front

Deal of the Day: The Toyota bZ4X is a bargain electric family car at £270 per month

Solid build quality and strong practicality make Toyota’s bZ4X our Deal of the Day for 9 January
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9 Jan 2024
Volkswagen Golf 2024 facelift: iconic hatchback gains much-needed tech updates
Volkswagen Golf facelift CES - front

Volkswagen Golf 2024 facelift: iconic hatchback gains much-needed tech updates

ChatGPT and an interior rethink set to make the Golf 8.5 better than ever
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9 Jan 2024
New Dacia ‘C-Neo’ family hatch will aim to beat Skoda Octavia on value
Dacia badge

New Dacia ‘C-Neo’ family hatch will aim to beat Skoda Octavia on value

Dacia will expand its range in the coming years while retaining a focus on affordability
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9 Jan 2024
HWA’s Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II restomod is the ultimate 1990s throwback
Mercedes 190E - front 3/4

HWA’s Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evo II restomod is the ultimate 1990s throwback

HWA AG’s recreation of the 90s super saloon looks just as crazy as the original
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9 Jan 2024
Honda Civic Type R gets more extreme with Mugen makeover
 Mugen Honda Civic Type R Group B

Honda Civic Type R gets more extreme with Mugen makeover

The tuning company from Japan has a rich history of tweaking Honda Civic Type Rs and is at it again
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8 Jan 2024
Confirmed: Vietnam’s VinFast is coming to the UK market
Three Vinfast VF8s in a row - front tracking

Confirmed: Vietnam’s VinFast is coming to the UK market

The Vietnamese electric car maker gives a fresh update to UK plans
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8 Jan 2024
Nissan X-Trail Crawler is built to conquer the roughest terrain
Nissan X-Trail Crawler

Nissan X-Trail Crawler is built to conquer the roughest terrain

It’s just a concept but the Crawler shows what the new X-Trail is capable of
News
8 Jan 2024
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Deal of the Day: Grab the tough Dacia Duster for just £98 per month
Dacia Duster - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Grab the tough Dacia Duster for just £98 per month

The Dacia Duster delivers off-road prowess at a bargain price making it our Deal of the Day for 6 January
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6 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: MG4 is a very affordable EV at only £99 per month
MG4 - front tracking

Deal of the Day: MG4 is a very affordable EV at only £99 per month

Practicality, fun and zero-emissions makes this stupendous MG4 EV offer our Deal of the Day for 5 January
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5 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: Cupra Ateca does sporty and sensible for £218 per month
Cupra Ateca front full width

Deal of the Day: Cupra Ateca does sporty and sensible for £218 per month

The Cupra Ateca is a great all-rounder and our Deal of the Day for 4 January
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4 Jan 2024
Volkswagen T-Cross gets a new look for 2024 and dips under £24,000
2024 Volkswagen T-Cross - front tracking

Volkswagen T-Cross gets a new look for 2024 and dips under £24,000

The T-Cross has undergone a mid-life refresh to help it stand out in the small SUV market
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4 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 arrives with a massive £7,925 discount
Volkswagen ID.3 - front cornering

Deal of the Day: facelifted Volkswagen ID.3 arrives with a massive £7,925 discount

Volkswagen has just improved its all-electric family hatch and there are already bargains to be had - this one is our Deal of the Day for 3 January
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3 Jan 2024
New 2024 Mercedes EQA: Merc’s updated junior EV goes on sale from £49,750
2024 Mercedes EQA facelift - front quarter

New 2024 Mercedes EQA: Merc’s updated junior EV goes on sale from £49,750

Mercedes has given the EQA small SUV a refresh with more range and a new look
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3 Jan 2024
UK government falls short of motorway electric car charging target
Electric car charging

UK government falls short of motorway electric car charging target

A major EV infrastructure target is missed as less than four in 10 motorway service stations have six or more rapid chargers.
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2 Jan 2024
Deal of the Day: £8,000 off a Honda e:Ny1 makes this EV more appealing than ever
Honda eNy1 - front action

Deal of the Day: £8,000 off a Honda e:Ny1 makes this EV more appealing than ever

The all-electric Honda e:Ny1 is offered with a massive £8,000 deposit contribution, making it our Deal of the Day for 22 December
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22 Dec 2023
New Mercedes GLC X 254 from Brabus is a family SUV for those that want to stand out
Brabus B30 - front quarter

New Mercedes GLC X 254 from Brabus is a family SUV for those that want to stand out

Brabus brings flamboyance to Mercedes’ popular SUV
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21 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Nissan Ariya is an award-winning electric SUV for £333 per month
Nissan Ariya - front

Deal of the Day: Nissan Ariya is an award-winning electric SUV for £333 per month

The Nissan Ariya blends premium appeal and practicality in a useable EV package, making it our Deal of the Day for 21 December
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21 Dec 2023
New 2025 Volkswagen ID.2: powertrain, interior and design of game-changing EV
New Volkswagen ID.2 - front

New 2025 Volkswagen ID.2: powertrain, interior and design of game-changing EV

Volkswagen’s upcoming ID.2 could be the catalyst for its all-electric future
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21 Dec 2023
New Audi A6 Avant e-tron will be a load-lugging all-electric estate
Audi A6 Avant e-tron spy shots - front

New Audi A6 Avant e-tron will be a load-lugging all-electric estate

Audi’s e-tron range of electric cars will soon gain a familiar shape
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21 Dec 2023
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Jeep Compass navigates its way into 2024 with a fresh update
2024 Jeep Compass - front tracking

Jeep Compass navigates its way into 2024 with a fresh update

More technology and new trim levels have been introduced to Jeep’s small SUV
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20 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Renault Austral is a fancy family SUV for a tiny £33 per month
Renault Austral - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Renault Austral is a fancy family SUV for a tiny £33 per month

Just £33 per month gets you into a Renault Austral, making it our Deal of the Day for 20 December
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20 Dec 2023
Jaecoo J7 to launch premium Chinese brand’s UK arrival
JAECOO J7 - front

Jaecoo J7 to launch premium Chinese brand’s UK arrival

Chery’s sub-brand will be an upmarket alternative to Europe’s premium brands
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20 Dec 2023
Citroen E-Spacetourer gets a chic new look and more range
Citroen E-Spacetourer - front tracking

Citroen E-Spacetourer gets a chic new look and more range

Citroen’s nine-seat MPV has been extensively updated for 2024, now with up to 217 miles of range
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20 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Maxus T90 is a practical electric pick-up for £176 per month
Maxus T90EV - front static

Deal of the Day: Maxus T90 is a practical electric pick-up for £176 per month

Zero-emissions and pick-up truck capability all for £176 a month make this our Deal of the Day for 19 December
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19 Dec 2023
2024 Ford Kuga facelift spied in new rugged Active trim
2024 Ford Kuga facelift - front

2024 Ford Kuga facelift spied in new rugged Active trim

Mid-sized SUV will be revitalised in 2024 with a fresh look
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19 Dec 2023
Everrati has just made an all-electric Porsche 911 RSR
Everrati Porsche 911 RSR - front

Everrati has just made an all-electric Porsche 911 RSR

EV homage of ultra-rare Porsche will do over 200 miles on a charge and 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds
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19 Dec 2023
Jaguar XE review
2023 Jaguar XE - front tracking

Jaguar XE review

The Jaguar XE is a fab all-rounder that’s thrilling to drive and great to look at, but engine choices are now very limited
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18 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Skoda Karoq is a versatile and well-built SUV for £198 per month
Skoda Karoq facelift - front action

Deal of the Day: Skoda Karoq is a versatile and well-built SUV for £198 per month

This bargain-buy Karoq is one of Skoda best-ever models – making it our Deal of the Day for 18 December
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18 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Roc is a stylish crossover for just £205 a month
Volkswagen T-Roc - front

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Roc is a stylish crossover for just £205 a month

Volkswagen’s T-Roc is a great all-rounder at this price, making it a prime candidate for our Deal of the Day on 15 December
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15 Dec 2023