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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

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Everrati Porsche 911 RSR - front

Everrati has just made an all-electric Porsche 911 RSR

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2023 Jaguar XE - front tracking

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

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

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14 Dec 2023
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Volvo XC40 - front cornering

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Deal of the Day: Renault Clio hybrid for a penny-pinching £32 per month!
Renault Clio - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Renault Clio hybrid for a penny-pinching £32 per month!

A tiny monthly price has drawn us to the fabulous new Renault Clio as our Deal of the Day for 12 December. You do need a big deposit, though.
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12 Dec 2023
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Mercedes-AMG GT 63 - front

2024 Mercedes-AMG GT: pricing, specs and performance of new premium sports car

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11 Dec 2023
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Range Rover Evoque facelift - front

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Hyundai Tucson N Line - front

New 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift revealed in sporty N Line trim

The award-winning Hyundai Tucson is set to be even better from next year
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8 Dec 2023
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Deal of the Day: £11k off a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - front cornering

Deal of the Day: £11k off a brand new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

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Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 57 One of One

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 57 pays tribute to iconic Type 57 Atlantic 

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7 Dec 2023
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Alpine A110 R Turini - front 3/4 static

New Alpine A110 R Turini launches as the lightweight French sports car gets a refresh

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7 Dec 2023
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Skoda Enyaq LK edition - front tracking

Skoda Enyaq gains major 2024 update: range boost and a fancy L&K version

A significant refresh of Skoda’s Enyaq family-friendly EV has arrived
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7 Dec 2023
New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost
Jaguar XF Sportbrake - front tracking

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake 2024 review: big estate with value boost

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7 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month
Volkswagen ID. Buzz - front cornering

Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings retro-style and practicality for £311 per month

All-electric MPV offers style and substance - making it our Deal of the Day for Wednesday 6 December
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6 Dec 2023
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Honda EV concept teaser

Honda is coming to CES and bringing an electric car concept

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6 Dec 2023
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Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 - front

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53: a new name for the performance coupe world

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5 Dec 2023
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2024 Lucid Air line-up

Cheapest Lucid Air Pure EV still gets a whopping 419-mile range

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5 Dec 2023
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SMMT new car registration - total for November 2023

Electric car registrations slow despite overall new car sales growth

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5 Dec 2023
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Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

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4 Dec 2023
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Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept - front 3/4

Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept has a screaming 10,000rpm V6

Another mind-blowing Genesis concept car has been revealed, but this time it’s got petrol-power
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4 Dec 2023
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High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024
Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48V - front 3/4 static

High hopes for new Toyota Hilux Hybrid due in 2024

The Toyota Hilux will add a hybrid powertrain to its range for 2024
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4 Dec 2023
New Tesla Cybertruck: pricing, specs and full details
Tesla Cybertruck - front tracking

New Tesla Cybertruck: pricing, specs and full details

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4 Dec 2023
Sharp looking Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to be with us in 2025
Toyota Sport Crossover Concept - front

Sharp looking Toyota Sport Crossover Concept to be with us in 2025

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4 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month
Vauxhall Grandland front cornering

Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is an ideal family SUV for £210 per month

Vauxhall’s largest SUV can be had for the same price as most superminis, making it our Deal of the Day for 1 December
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1 Dec 2023
The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers
Tesla Cybertruck - front tracking

The wait is over! Tesla Cybertruck finally reaches customers

The wild-looking electric pick-up truck will be offered in three trim levels
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1 Dec 2023
New spy shots confirm Kia EV6’s facelift with EV9 design cues
Kia EV6 facelift - front

New spy shots confirm Kia EV6’s facelift with EV9 design cues

Kia’s all-electric crossover is set to gain some technological and cosmetic changes in 2024
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30 Nov 2023
Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month
MG ZS EV - front cornering

Deal of the Day: MG ZS EV is a versatile electric SUV for £282 per month

SUV practicality and zero emissions makes the MG ZS EV our Deal of the Day for 30 November
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30 Nov 2023
New Smart #3: UK prices and specs revealed for premium electric coupe-SUV
Smart #3 - front action

New Smart #3: UK prices and specs revealed for premium electric coupe-SUV

Smart has announced pricing for its new #3 with a new trim level added
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30 Nov 2023
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Smart #3 Brabus - front

New Smart #3 Brabus 2024 review: It's hot, maybe too hot!

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Cupra Born 77kWh V3 - front tracking

Deal of the Day: Cupra Born is a cool and sporty EV for £262 per month

The stylish and eco-friendly Cupra Born is our Deal of the Day for 29 November
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29 Nov 2023