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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

Alfa Romeo slashes prices across entire range!
Alfa Romeo Tributo Italiano

Alfa Romeo slashes prices across entire range!

Italian firm claims savings of over £4,000 across Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio models, with new trim structure and extra kit
News
29 Nov 2023
New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed
Dacia Duster - front

New 2024 Dacia Duster: third generation of Europe’s best-selling SUV revealed

Dacia has taken the wraps off the latest Duster, which arrives with a new look and fresh technology
News
29 Nov 2023
New Dacia Duster Commercial 2023 review: a cheap, but extremely capable small van
Dacia Duster Commercial -  front tracking

New Dacia Duster Commercial 2023 review: a cheap, but extremely capable small van

Dacia’s no-frills approach to budget motoring lends itself to the commercial vehicle genre, making the Duster Commercial an appealing option
Road tests
28 Nov 2023
£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf
Nissan Sunderland

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf

The UK’s largest car plant will receive huge investment to build Nissan’s next generation of EVs
News
24 Nov 2023
No deal! Dacia shuts website for Black Friday
Dacia Duster - front tracking

No deal! Dacia shuts website for Black Friday

A bold strategy from Dacia sees the firm close its online sales throughout the day
News
24 Nov 2023
New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road
Abt XGT - front

New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road

The Abt DTM racing team has taken the Audi R8 supercar to the extreme
News
23 Nov 2023
New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches
2024 MINI Cooper - front

New MINI Cooper testing takes next step as full reveal approaches

All-electric MINI will soon be joined by UK-built petrol version
News
23 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC brings luxury and electric power for £374 per month
Mercedes EQC - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC brings luxury and electric power for £374 per month

Our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 22 November is the Mercedes EQC, a refined and premium electric SUV
News
22 Nov 2023
New Vauxhall Movano gets a refresh to keep pace with big van rivals
2024 Vauxhall Movano - front static

New Vauxhall Movano gets a refresh to keep pace with big van rivals

Stellantis’ commercial vehicle updates extend to Vauxhall’s largest offering
News
22 Nov 2023
The Fiat Topolino is a Mickey Mouse car
Fiat Topolino Disney tribute car collection - front static

The Fiat Topolino is a Mickey Mouse car

Fiat’s tiny electric car gets a big makeover with five unique Disney-themed liveries
News
22 Nov 2023
Toyota Yaris Cross gets boost in power and upgraded technology for 2024
Toyota Yaris Cross 'Premiere Edition' - front 3/4 static

Toyota Yaris Cross gets boost in power and upgraded technology for 2024

The big-selling Yaris Cross gets the same powertrain options as the Yaris supermini
News
22 Nov 2023
GWM Ora Funky Cat loses some soul with Ora 03 rebrand
GWM Ora Funky Cat - front

GWM Ora Funky Cat loses some soul with Ora 03 rebrand

The Great Wall Motor company is giving the Funky Cat a rebrand for 2024
News
21 Nov 2023
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Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month
MG ZS - front cornering

Deal of the Day: MG’s ZS is a family-size SUV for just £129 per month

The brand-new MG ZS SUV delivers major practicality for supermini money
News
21 Nov 2023
New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric sneaks under the £40,000 mark
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric - front

New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric sneaks under the £40,000 mark

The all-electric Vauxhall Astra estate is now on sale with first deliveries expected in spring 2024
News
21 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Get the Peugeot 208’s sporty French style for £155 a month
Peugeot e-208 - front tracking

Deal of the Day: Get the Peugeot 208’s sporty French style for £155 a month

Our Deal of the Day for Monday 20 November is the Peugeot 208, a newly-facelifted supermini with bags of premium appeal
News
20 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Citroen e-C4 could be your new family EV for £181 per month
Citroen e-C4 - front

Deal of the Day: Citroen e-C4 could be your new family EV for £181 per month

Our Deal of the Day is the all-electric Citroen e-C4, a firm favourite in our Driver Power satisfaction survey
News
16 Nov 2023
New Lamborghini Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario: Lambo’s race team builds a road car
Lamborghini Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario - front

New Lamborghini Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario: Lambo’s race team builds a road car

Sporting a bespoke livery, only one Lamborghini Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario will be built
News
16 Nov 2023
Alfa Romeo Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio Tributo Italiano trims shake up the range
Alfa Romeo Tributo Italiano

Alfa Romeo Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio Tributo Italiano trims shake up the range

New Italian-themed packs add racier exterior design flourishes across the Alfa range
News
16 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: stylish SEAT Ibiza supermini for £174 per month
SEAT Ibiza - front

Deal of the Day: stylish SEAT Ibiza supermini for £174 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 15 November is the funky SEAT Ibiza for just under £174 per month
News
15 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: £249 a month for an iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster
Mazda MX-5 Kizuna - front tracking

Deal of the Day: £249 a month for an iconic Mazda MX-5 roadster

Our Deal of the Day for 13 November is the Mazda MX-5 offering bundles of fun for under £250 per month
News
13 Nov 2023
TWR reveals big plans to reimagine the Jaguar XJS
Magnus Walker and Khyzyl Saleem standing in front of a Jaguar XJS

TWR reveals big plans to reimagine the Jaguar XJS

TWR will look back in its history with the Jaguar XJS for a “reimagined” sports car
News
13 Nov 2023
Special McLaren 750S pays homage to firm’s ‘Triple Crown’ achievement
McLaren 750S ‘Triple Crown’ - front 3/4 static

Special McLaren 750S pays homage to firm’s ‘Triple Crown’ achievement

McLaren Special Operations has revealed six cars to commemorate the motorsport victories
News
13 Nov 2023
New Volvo EM90: all-electric business class MPV revealed in full 
Volvo EM90

New Volvo EM90: all-electric business class MPV revealed in full 

Volvo has finally unveiled the new EM90, an upmarket people carrier that may or may not come to the UK
News
12 Nov 2023
New Subaru Forester poised for big LA Motor Show reveal
Subaru Forester - wheel

New Subaru Forester poised for big LA Motor Show reveal

An all-new generation of Subaru’s mid-size SUV is nearing launch
News
10 Nov 2023
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Deal of the Day: Smash hit Nissan Qashqai is yours for under £200 per month
Nissan Qashqai e-Power - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Smash hit Nissan Qashqai is yours for under £200 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 10 November is the Nissan Qashqai with oodles of practicality for less than £200 per month
News
10 Nov 2023
Hands off: BMW 7 Series to gain Level 3 autonomous driving
BMW 7 Series front cornering roundabout

Hands off: BMW 7 Series to gain Level 3 autonomous driving

Next level of autonomous driving will allow 7 Series drivers to edit emails and stream videos
News
10 Nov 2023
New Volkswagen T-Cross facelift review: VW’s baby SUV gets a midlife refresh
2024 Volkswagen T-Cross - front tracking

New Volkswagen T-Cross facelift review: VW’s baby SUV gets a midlife refresh

Volkswagen's latest updates have given the T-Cross some much-needed interior upgrades, but not much else
Road tests
10 Nov 2023
New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality
MINI Countryman JCW - front

New MINI Countryman JCW aims to deliver performance and practicality

The new MINI Countryman JCW gets 296bhp and four-wheel drive
News
10 Nov 2023
New 2024 Vauxhall Combo facelift gets the sleek ‘Vizor’ treatment
Vauxhall Combo - front

New 2024 Vauxhall Combo facelift gets the sleek ‘Vizor’ treatment

The Vauxhall Combo and Combo Electric vans get uprated technology, with prices starting from £20,850
News
10 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: Nissan Juke catches the eye at £202 per month
Nissan Juke front cornering

Deal of the Day: Nissan Juke catches the eye at £202 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 8 November is the funky Nissan Juke for just over £200 per month
News
8 Nov 2023
New Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro will monster any track day
Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro - front 3/4

New Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro will monster any track day

It’s the “pinnacle” of Affalterbach’s sports car portfolio
News
6 Nov 2023
Premium push: MINI, Volvo, BMW and Audi hit top 10 in October new-car sales figures
SMMT New car registrations - October 2023 overview

Premium push: MINI, Volvo, BMW and Audi hit top 10 in October new-car sales figures

New car sales are up year-on-year with strong numbers from premium manufacturers like BMW and Audi
News
6 Nov 2023
KG Mobility gets green light to use BYD batteries
KG Mobility electric pick-up truck on display at motor show

KG Mobility gets green light to use BYD batteries

Battery supplier boost for KG Mobility, the brand formerly known as SsangYong
News
3 Nov 2023
New Nissan Juke to target Hyundai Kona with radical redesign
Nissan Juke exclusive images - front

New Nissan Juke to target Hyundai Kona with radical redesign

The Nissan Juke will go all-electric and our exclusive images preview how it could look
News
2 Nov 2023