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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 Kia EV4 is a sleek four-door saloon - but this is just the concept
Kia Concept EV4 - front

New Kia EV4 is a sleek four-door saloon - but this is just the concept

Kia's EV Day plays host to a bunch of new models including a precursor to the EV4
News
12 Oct 2023
New Kia EV5 aims to conquer the all-electric SUV sector
Kia EV5 - front

New Kia EV5 aims to conquer the all-electric SUV sector

Kia has confirmed the new all-electric EV5 is coming to the UK
News
12 Oct 2023
Hardcore new Corvette ZR1 lifts a wheel at the Nurburgring
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - header

Hardcore new Corvette ZR1 lifts a wheel at the Nurburgring

Chevrolet’s most serious Corvette looks set to rip up the track
News
11 Oct 2023
New all-electric Mercedes eActros 600 lorry will keep on truckin' for 310 miles
Mercedes eActros 600 - front tracking

New all-electric Mercedes eActros 600 lorry will keep on truckin' for 310 miles

Mercedes is looking to change the haulage landscape with a new fully-electric truck
News
11 Oct 2023
New Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition is the British firm’s last ICE sports car
Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition - roadster front

New Jaguar F-Type ZP Edition is the British firm’s last ICE sports car

The Jaguar F-Type bows out with limited-run, V8-powered ZP Edition
News
10 Oct 2023
MG EX4 concept car gets a BTCC examination
MG EX4 concept car - front action

MG EX4 concept car gets a BTCC examination

Does MG’s new EX4 Concept have what it takes to excite an experienced BTCC driver? We ask Daniel Rowbottom
Features
10 Oct 2023
Government spends big on Aston Martin’s EV future
Aston Martin BEV platform

Government spends big on Aston Martin’s EV future

The Government has put its faith in the British firm’s electrification plan with new funding
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9 Oct 2023
New Audi SQ8 arrives with a new face and 500bhp V8 power
New Audi SQ8 - front quarter

New Audi SQ8 arrives with a new face and 500bhp V8 power

The Audi SQ8 is the firm’s range-topping performance SUV…for now
News
6 Oct 2023
New Kia EV3: concept version set to reveal more
Kia EV day teaser

New Kia EV3: concept version set to reveal more

Kia is set to expand its all-electric lineup with a new small SUV
News
6 Oct 2023
New Toyota C-HR: pricing revealed for second instalment of funky hybrid crossover
Toyota C-HR - front

New Toyota C-HR: pricing revealed for second instalment of funky hybrid crossover

The C-HR looks to conquer the tough small SUV segment with eye-catching looks and new technology
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5 Oct 2023
Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid shows its sporty side with GR Sport makeover
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport

Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid shows its sporty side with GR Sport makeover

The 302bhp RAV4 GR Sport is on sale now with a slew of bespoke tweaks
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5 Oct 2023
Kia EV family to grow with new EV3 and a Tesla Model 3 rivalling EV4 saloon
Kia EV day teaser

Kia EV family to grow with new EV3 and a Tesla Model 3 rivalling EV4 saloon

The upcoming Kia EV Day will see the launch of a sleek saloon and a family crossover
News
4 Oct 2023
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2024 BMW i4 almost ready to take the fight to new Tesla Model 3
Facelifted BMW i4 - front tracking

2024 BMW i4 almost ready to take the fight to new Tesla Model 3

Our first look at the updated i4 suggests BMW’s electric exec could soon be revealed
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4 Oct 2023
Back to the drawing board at Citroen with new You!, Plus and Max trim levels
Citroen trim range

Back to the drawing board at Citroen with new You!, Plus and Max trim levels

You!, Plus and Max trim levels are designed to simplify the Citroen buying process
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4 Oct 2023
New Nissan Hyper Urban ticks the concept car boxes: futuristic tech and mind-blowing doors
Nissan Hyper Urban concept - front

New Nissan Hyper Urban ticks the concept car boxes: futuristic tech and mind-blowing doors

The new Nissan Hyper Urban electric crossover concept aims to save your electric bills with vehicle-to-grid tech and pushes the design boat right out
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3 Oct 2023
Subaru Forester review
Subaru Forester - front tracking

Subaru Forester review

The Subaru Forester is a hard-wearing, over-engineered SUV, but average fuel economy and sluggish performance count against it
In-depth reviews
20 Sep 2023
David Brown Automotive Mini eMastered: a little electric Mini with a huge price tag
David Brown Automotive Mini eMastered - front

David Brown Automotive Mini eMastered: a little electric Mini with a huge price tag

The Mini eMastered is the first time David Brown Automotive has launched an EV, but it comes with a hefty list price
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19 Sep 2023
New Fiat 600 Hybrid: little SUV gets electric boost next year
Fiat 600 hybrid - front

New Fiat 600 Hybrid: little SUV gets electric boost next year

Fiat has taken the covers off its hybrid-powered 600 crossover
News
19 Sep 2023
SsangYong Musso review
SsangYong Musso Saracen - front tracking

SsangYong Musso review

The SsangYong Musso pick-up is strong in many areas beyond just value, but is let down by a poor ride
In-depth reviews
19 Sep 2023
New Ford Ranger PHEV set to join pick-up’s range
Ford Ranger PHEV - front action

New Ford Ranger PHEV set to join pick-up’s range

The Ford Ranger pick-up will get a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time, but it won’t arrive until 2025
News
19 Sep 2023
New Volkswagen ID.2 SUV on the way
Volkswagen ID2 SUV exclusive image

New Volkswagen ID.2 SUV on the way

Volkswagen is working on an entry-level all-electric small SUV, and our exclusive image previews how it could look
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18 Sep 2023
New 2023 Fiat 600e priced from £32,995
Fiat 600e Red and 600e LaPrima - front

New 2023 Fiat 600e priced from £32,995

The all-electric Fiat 600e small SUV aims to combine retro design with the latest technology
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18 Sep 2023
New Porsche Panamera set for 24 November 2023 reveal - here’s what we know now
2024 Porsche Panamera - front cornering

New Porsche Panamera set for 24 November 2023 reveal - here’s what we know now

Porsche’s third-generation Panamera will get a selection of hybrid engines and new technology
News
15 Sep 2023
Toyota electric cars to offer 500-mile range by 2026 with solid state batteries to follow
Toyota battery tech

Toyota electric cars to offer 500-mile range by 2026 with solid state batteries to follow

New battery technology will enable Toyota to increase EV range and decrease cost
News
15 Sep 2023
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Cupra Leon line up revised with new Design Edition trims
Cupra Leon 242bhp

Cupra Leon line up revised with new Design Edition trims

With the addition of new Design Edition models, Cupra’s hot hatch now starts from £30,455
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13 Sep 2023
New 2023 Porsche Taycan range-topper spied without camouflage
Porsche Taycan GT - cornering

New 2023 Porsche Taycan range-topper spied without camouflage

Most powerful Taycan yet will have hypercar performance
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13 Sep 2023
New Volkswagen ID.X Performance revealed as all-electric super saloon
Volkswagen ID.X Performance - front static

New Volkswagen ID.X Performance revealed as all-electric super saloon

Volkswagen has created a wild concept based on the ID.7
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10 Sep 2023
New Volkswagen Golf Black Edition on sale from £31,985
Volkswagen Golf Black Edition - front

New Volkswagen Golf Black Edition on sale from £31,985

The VW Golf Black Edition comes with some bespoke design tweaks and the option of hybrid power
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7 Sep 2023
New 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally designed for off-road fun
Ford Mach-E Rally - driving on off-road track

New 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally designed for off-road fun

Ford says the Mustang Mach-E Rally will be available to order early next year
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7 Sep 2023
New Toyota Century SUV: sporty GRMN and convertible versions in the offing
Toyota Century SUV GRMN - front

New Toyota Century SUV: sporty GRMN and convertible versions in the offing

Toyota’s iconic Century name enters the luxury SUV market for the first time but it’s not coming to the UK
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7 Sep 2023
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX - front cornering

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch

Volkswagen’s family-friendly ID.3 will soon get the sporty GTX treatment
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7 Sep 2023
New Smart #3: design, specs and release date for 2024 coupe-SUV
Smart 3 25th Anniversary - side

New Smart #3: design, specs and release date for 2024 coupe-SUV

Smart’s new all-electric SUV has been shown off in 25th Anniversary Edition guise
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6 Sep 2023
New 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Concept E Performance arrives
Mercedes-AMG-GT-Concept-E-Performance - front

New 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Concept E Performance arrives

Mercedes has previewed the plug-in hybrid version of the AMG GT sports car in Munich
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6 Sep 2023
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
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6 Sep 2023