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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

Hyundai Kona Jayde Concept arrives to brighten up SEMA
Hyundai Kona Jayde Concept - front

Hyundai Kona Jayde Concept arrives to brighten up SEMA

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31 Oct 2023
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Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door - front

New Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door: super saloon gets tweaked for 2024

The GT 4-Door is Mercedes’ range-topping performance saloon
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31 Oct 2023
Confirmed: the new Toyota Prius is coming to the UK after all
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Confirmed: the new Toyota Prius is coming to the UK after all

There was no intention for the fifth-generation Toyota Prius to be sold in the UK, but Toyota has backtracked on its decision
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31 Oct 2023
Ford Ranger Platinum 2023 review: an intriguing alternative to an SUV
Ford Ranger Platinum - front action

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31 Oct 2023
New Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer: first official pictures of all-electric estate
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New 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 promises downsized engine with uprated power

The hottest version of the new Mercedes CLE will use a turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder engine
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30 Oct 2023
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30 Oct 2023
New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute
Ferrari 499p Modificata - front 3/4

New Ferrari 499P Modificata is a £4.6m track-only Le Mans tribute

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 Honda Sustaina-C and Pocket EV scooter

New Honda Sustaina-C is an electric city car with its own ‘Pocket’

The cute Honda Sustaina-C concept car is partnered with a ‘Pocket’ EV scooter
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27 Oct 2023
Wild Audi R8 is a 640bhp track racer by Abt
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Wild Audi R8 is a 640bhp track racer by Abt

Track-focused R8 spawns huge aero and is fittingly tested on the Nurburgring
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27 Oct 2023
New Porsche Taycan facelift unmasked on Nurburgring
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New Porsche Taycan facelift unmasked on Nurburgring

Buyers can expect the updated Taycan to arrive in 2024
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26 Oct 2023
Electrifying 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is yours from £65,000
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - front static

Electrifying 641bhp Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is yours from £65,000

The Ioniq 5 N is the most powerful Hyundai ever, and based on the same platform tech as the Kia EV6 GT
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26 Oct 2023
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New Subaru Sport Mobility Concept gives us hope of a rally return
Subaru Sports Mobility Concept - front

New Subaru Sport Mobility Concept gives us hope of a rally return

Subaru has brought a two-door coupe to the Tokyo Motor Show
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New Lexus LF-ZL concept revealed: an EV to rival the most luxurious SUVs
Lexus LF-ZL concept - front 3/4 static

New Lexus LF-ZL concept revealed: an EV to rival the most luxurious SUVs

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25 Oct 2023
Lexus LF-ZC concept to rival Tesla Model 3 in 2026
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Lexus LF-ZC concept to rival Tesla Model 3 in 2026

The LF-ZC concept shows off new battery technology, and makes use of bamboo in the cabin
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25 Oct 2023
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Skoda Superb estate sketches

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25 Oct 2023
Honda Prelude revived as an electrified coupe
Honda Prelude Concept

Honda Prelude revived as an electrified coupe

Tokyo Motor Show plays host to Honda’s Prelude Concept
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25 Oct 2023
2024 Mazda MX-5 revealed at Tokyo Motor Show
2024 Mazda MX-5 – front cornering

2024 Mazda MX-5 revealed at Tokyo Motor Show

Mazda has fettled its popular two-seat roadster, claiming it’s now better than ever
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25 Oct 2023
New Suzuki eVX will be the brand’s first electric car
Suzuki eVX - front

New Suzuki eVX will be the brand’s first electric car

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24 Oct 2023
New Suzuki Swift gets a concept car preview
Suzuki Swift concept – front

New Suzuki Swift gets a concept car preview

A new Swift is coming and fresh images give us our most detailed look yet
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24 Oct 2023
New BMW 5 Series now on sale at over £50k
BMW i5 M50 – front tracking

New BMW 5 Series now on sale at over £50k

Latest eighth-generation BMW 5 Series alongside the all-electric i5
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24 Oct 2023
New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy
Ferrari SP-8 - front

New Ferrari SP-8 is the latest one-off you can’t buy

Feast your eyes on this bold Ferrari - created for just one special customer
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24 Oct 2023
All-new BMW X3 will be bigger than ever
BMW X3 testing

All-new BMW X3 will be bigger than ever

BMW’s big-selling mid-sized SUV will get a new generation in 2024
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23 Oct 2023
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Refreshed 2024 Peugeot 208 and E-208 go on sale with a new face and tweaked features

Specifications for Peugeot’s stylish pair of superminis now confirmed starting at £20,400
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19 Oct 2023
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The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 
Nissan Hyper Punk – front

The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 

Nissan says the Hyper Punk offers seamless connectivity between the ‘virtual and physical’ world 
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19 Oct 2023
Cheaper Smart #1 Pro electric SUV incoming to rival MG4
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Cheaper Smart #1 Pro electric SUV incoming to rival MG4

Smart will add the entry-level Pro version to the #1 line up
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18 Oct 2023
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Stellantis Pro One announced as firm’s new van brand

Pro One houses six brands and clarifies Stellantis’ electrified commercial vehicle strategy
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18 Oct 2023
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BMW teases the next-generation 5 Series estate ahead of its 2024 launch
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18 Oct 2023
Don’t get angry! New Nissan Hyper Tourer concept can monitor your moods
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Don’t get angry! New Nissan Hyper Tourer concept can monitor your moods

The new Nissan Hyper Tourer electric MPV concept will be on display at the Tokyo Motor Show
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17 Oct 2023
Toyota FT-3e concept gives us a glimpse of the brand’s future SUVs
Toyota FT-3e – tail light teaser image

Toyota FT-3e concept gives us a glimpse of the brand’s future SUVs

The new Toyota concept will be shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show
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16 Oct 2023
Toyota C-HR (2016-2023) review
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With decent handling to back up its eye-catching looks, there’s more to like about the Toyota C-HR than just hybrid efficiency
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13 Oct 2023
It’s official - Geneva Motor Show is back on
Geneva Motor Show

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Geneva Motor Show will return in 2024 after this year’s event was cancelled
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13 Oct 2023
New Kia EV2 could be the little, low cost electric car we’re waiting for
Kia XCeed - Kia badge

New Kia EV2 could be the little, low cost electric car we’re waiting for

Kia is rapidly expanding its line up of EVs with a supermini next on the cards
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12 Oct 2023
Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S hot SUV updates keep it miles clear of any rival
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Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S hot SUV updates keep it miles clear of any rival

415bhp Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S has the high performance compact SUV game all to itself
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12 Oct 2023