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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

Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars
Auto Express Munich Motor Show 2023 guide header image

Munich Motor Show 2023: news round-up and all the new cars

This year's Munich Motor Show saw big reveals from BMW, Cupra, Mercedes, MINI, Renault, Tesla and Volkswagen
News
6 Sep 2023
New Bizzarrini Giotto: V12 hypercar revealed in full
Bizzarrini Giotto - front static

New Bizzarrini Giotto: V12 hypercar revealed in full

The sleek sports car is a tribute to one of Italy’s most famous automotive names
News
5 Sep 2023
New Mercedes MMA platform to underpin four new cars
Mercedes MMA platform

New Mercedes MMA platform to underpin four new cars

A shooting brake, two SUVs and a saloon are in development
News
5 Sep 2023
New small Mercedes G-Class to arrive with all-electric power
Small Mercedes G-Class teaser

New small Mercedes G-Class to arrive with all-electric power

The “Little G” will join the Mercedes range and has been teased ahead of its official arrival
News
5 Sep 2023
New Hyundai Ioniq 5 facelift spotted on the road
New facelifted Hyundai Ioniq 5

New Hyundai Ioniq 5 facelift spotted on the road

Hyundai’s popular all-electric family car will soon gain a mid-life refresh
News
5 Sep 2023
New BMW iX1: electric range boosted to 296 miles by eDrive20 version
BMW iX1 eDrive20 - front 3/4 static

New BMW iX1: electric range boosted to 296 miles by eDrive20 version

The new entry-level BMW iX1 offers the most range and it’s on sale now
News
5 Sep 2023
New Mercedes Concept CLA Class previews future Tesla Model 3 rival
Mercedes Concept CLA Class Munich - front static

New Mercedes Concept CLA Class previews future Tesla Model 3 rival

The new Mercedes Concept CLA Class gives hints at how the German brand’s next all-electric EQ model will look
News
3 Sep 2023
Mercedes EV charging network to roll out in Europe this year
Mercedes EV charging station

Mercedes EV charging network to roll out in Europe this year

Mercedes plans to rival the Tesla Supercharger network with new high-power EV charging stations
News
31 Aug 2023
Dacia Sandero Stepway review
Dacia Sandero Stepway

Dacia Sandero Stepway review

The Dacia Sandero Stepway adds an essence of SUV style to the budget-friendly supermini
In-depth reviews
30 Aug 2023
New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer PHEV 2023 review
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer PHEV - front

New Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer PHEV 2023 review

The lower-powered Vauxhall Astra PHEV estate promises to be the sweet spot in the range
Road tests
30 Aug 2023
New 2023 Mercedes EQA facelift revealed
2023 Mercedes EQA facelift - front static

New 2023 Mercedes EQA facelift revealed

The smallest all-electric Mercedes has received a mid-life refresh
News
24 Aug 2023
New 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT: 2+2 sports car revealed at Monterey Car Week
Mercedes-AMG GT on display at Monterey Car Week 2023 - front 3/4 static

New 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT: 2+2 sports car revealed at Monterey Car Week

The new SL-based AMG GT will take on the Porsche 911 with V8 power
News
21 Aug 2023
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New Lotus Type 66: limited edition retro race car debuts at Monterey Car Week
Lotus Type 66 Monterey Car Week

New Lotus Type 66: limited edition retro race car debuts at Monterey Car Week

The Type 66 references Lotus’ plan to enter the Can-Am race series in 1970 that was never realised
News
19 Aug 2023
New Pininfarina B95: 1,873bhp electric hypercar revealed at 2023 Monterey Car Week
Pininfarina B95 on display at 2023 Monterey Car Week - front (doors open)

New Pininfarina B95: 1,873bhp electric hypercar revealed at 2023 Monterey Car Week

The B95 has been created to mark 95 years of the Pininfarina design house
News
19 Aug 2023
New Lamborghini Lanzador electric car concept debuts at Monterey Car Week
Lamborghini Lanzador concept Monterey Car Week

New Lamborghini Lanzador electric car concept debuts at Monterey Car Week

Lamborghini has given us a tantalising preview of its first electric production car in the shape of the Lamborghini Lanzador concept. 
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19 Aug 2023
New Dacia Accessory Packs designed for camping trips
Dacia Jogger - sleep and tent accessory pack

New Dacia Accessory Packs designed for camping trips

Family-orientated Jogger gets camping bundles to make it the ultimate holiday vehicle
News
18 Aug 2023
New 2023 BAC Mono retains lightweight driver-focused approach
2023 BAC Mono - front 3/4 static

New 2023 BAC Mono retains lightweight driver-focused approach

The British supercar weighs just 570kg and comes with a naturally-aspirated engine
News
18 Aug 2023
New 2023 Mercedes-AMG E 53: hot saloon and estate spied
Mercedes AMG E53 estate - front

New 2023 Mercedes-AMG E 53: hot saloon and estate spied

Sporty AMG versions of the latest E-Class will begin with the 53
News
18 Aug 2023
New Fisker Alaska: latest on all-electric pick-up truck
Fisker Alaska - front static

New Fisker Alaska: latest on all-electric pick-up truck

Details on Alaska battery packs revealed with up to 340 miles of range available
News
18 Aug 2023
New 2024 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster in development
2024 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster (camouflaged) - front cornering

New 2024 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster in development

Aston Martin is testing its revamped V8 drop-top sports car
News
17 Aug 2023
New Dacia Sandero Stepway 2023 review
Dacia Sandero Stepway - front tracking

New Dacia Sandero Stepway 2023 review

The more expensive Stepway adds some much-needed charm to the Sandero range
Road tests
17 Aug 2023
New 2024 Mercedes EQ saloon spotted on the road
Mercedes EQ saloon (camouflaged) - front cornering

New 2024 Mercedes EQ saloon spotted on the road

Fresh spy pictures give us our best look yet at new Mercedes EV
News
16 Aug 2023
New Peugeot 3008 and 5008 mild-hybrid models revealed
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid - front static

New Peugeot 3008 and 5008 mild-hybrid models revealed

Peugeot has introduced a new 48V mild-hybrid powertrain for its 3008 and 5008 SUVs
News
14 Aug 2023
New Mercedes-AMG C 43 2023 review
Mercedes-AMG C 43 - front

New Mercedes-AMG C 43 2023 review

Performance saloon gains new hybrid powertrain and a premium price tag
Road tests
10 Aug 2023
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New 2023 Lexus LBX priced from £29,995
Lexus LBX - front action

New 2023 Lexus LBX priced from £29,995

The LBX is the smallest model in the Lexus lineup
News
10 Aug 2023
New 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: powertrains, specifications and technology
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV - front static

New 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe: powertrains, specifications and technology

Hyundai’s seven-seat SUV is back with a radical new look
News
10 Aug 2023
New 2023 Honda CR-V: UK pricing and specifications revealed
Honda CR-V - front static

New 2023 Honda CR-V: UK pricing and specifications revealed

Latest Honda CR-V will come with plug-in hybrid technology for the first time
News
10 Aug 2023
New Brabus 850 brings V12 power to the Mercedes S-Class
Brabus 850 - front static

New Brabus 850 brings V12 power to the Mercedes S-Class

The 838bhp 850 is based on the luxurious Mercedes-Maybach S 680
News
9 Aug 2023
New 2023 MG4: 323-mile Extended Range arrives
MG4 Extended Range - front cornering

New 2023 MG4: 323-mile Extended Range arrives

MG has officially announced figures for the MG4 Extended Range
News
8 Aug 2023
New Alpine A110 model spotted testing on the Nurburgring
Alpine A110 Extreme - header

New Alpine A110 model spotted testing on the Nurburgring

Track-ready A110 will soon take on the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
News
8 Aug 2023
New Ford Puma ST Powershift 2023 review
Ford Puma ST Powershift - front tracking

New Ford Puma ST Powershift 2023 review

The mild-hybrid Ford Puma ST Powershift is cheaper to run but less fun
Road tests
4 Aug 2023
New 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe facelift in development
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (camouflaged) - front cornering

New 2023 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe facelift in development

BMW is giving the four-door 2 Series a mid-life refresh
News
4 Aug 2023
New 2023 BMW 4 Series facelift spotted on the road
New BMW 4 Series (camouflaged) - front tracking

New 2023 BMW 4 Series facelift spotted on the road

Latest interior technology set to arrive on new 4 Series
News
4 Aug 2023
New Volkswagen GTI logo hints at sporty all-electric models
New Volkswagen GTI Logo

New Volkswagen GTI logo hints at sporty all-electric models

Volkswagen’s performance EVs could wear the new badge in future
News
2 Aug 2023