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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

2023 Cupra Ateca gets two new engines
Cupra Ateca - front tracking

2023 Cupra Ateca gets two new engines

Two petrol engines have joined the Cupra Ateca line up
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26 Jun 2023
New Skoda Kodiaq 2024 prototype review
Skoda Kodiaq prototype - front tracking

New Skoda Kodiaq 2024 prototype review

Skoda is bringing us a new Kodiaq for 2024 and a drive in an early prototype version suggests more of the same from the big, practical SUV
Road tests
26 Jun 2023
New Mercedes GLC Coupe 300 2023 review
Mercedes GLC Coupe - front

New Mercedes GLC Coupe 300 2023 review

The all-new Mercedes GLC Coupe arrives to take on the BMW X4 and Audi Q5 Sportback
Road tests
21 Jun 2023
McMurtry Spéirling Pure unveiled: the ultimate electric track car
McMurtry Spierling Pure - front action

McMurtry Spéirling Pure unveiled: the ultimate electric track car

The Goodwood hill climb record breaking McMurtry Spéirling will be available to purchase for track days
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21 Jun 2023
New 2023 Honda ZR-V priced from £39,495
Honda ZR-V - front studio

New 2023 Honda ZR-V priced from £39,495

Honda’s latest hybrid SUV borrows technology from the new Civic
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20 Jun 2023
KGM is the new name for SsangYong
SsangYong badge

KGM is the new name for SsangYong

The Korean budget car maker is undergoing a drastic rebranding exercise
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20 Jun 2023
New BYD Dolphin electric hatch starts from £25,490
BYD Dolphin - front tracking

New BYD Dolphin electric hatch starts from £25,490

BYD’s upcoming hatchback is aimed at budget EV sector
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19 Jun 2023
New Nio EL6 to take on electric luxury SUV market
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New Nio EL6 to take on electric luxury SUV market

Nio’s replacement for the ES6 is expected to come to the UK in 2024
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16 Jun 2023
New 2024 Nio ET5 Touring to come with 483bhp
Nio ET5 Touring - front tracking

New 2024 Nio ET5 Touring to come with 483bhp

UK-bound Chinese firm will have an all-electric estate offering
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16 Jun 2023
New Lotus Evija X spotted on the Nurburgring
Lotus Evija X on Nurburgring - front action

New Lotus Evija X spotted on the Nurburgring

EV hypercar could be the new lap record holder at the ‘ring.
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14 Jun 2023
Nyobolt EV fast-charging sports car concept adds 155 miles range in under 6 minutes
Nyobolt EV - front

Nyobolt EV fast-charging sports car concept adds 155 miles range in under 6 minutes

British-based firm Nyobolt has partnered with the designer of the Lotus Elise to showcase its battery tech
News
13 Jun 2023
New 2023 BMW 1 Series facelift caught testing on the Nurburgring
2023 BMW 1 Series (camouflaged) - front action

New 2023 BMW 1 Series facelift caught testing on the Nurburgring

BMW’s premium hatchback will get a complete redesign and new technology
News
9 Jun 2023
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Porsche Mission X unveiled: new electric hypercar concept
Porsche Mission X - front show

Porsche Mission X unveiled: new electric hypercar concept

The Porsche Mission X concept could pave the way for a new flagship Porsche EV
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8 Jun 2023
DS M.i. 21 concept previews future DS interior designs
DS M.i. 21 concept - interior side view

DS M.i. 21 concept previews future DS interior designs

Premium French brand DS shows what the inside of its cars could look like in the near future
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8 Jun 2023
Limited edition Cupra Formentor VZN unveiled
Cupra Formentor - static front

Limited edition Cupra Formentor VZN unveiled

Sporty SUV gets new trim level with extra equipment
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7 Jun 2023
New Citroen e-Series spec added to e-C4, e-C4 X and C5 Aircross ranges
Citroen C5 Aircross e-Series - front tracking

New Citroen e-Series spec added to e-C4, e-C4 X and C5 Aircross ranges

Citroen’s new e-Series trim level features exterior tweaks and uprated equipment levels
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7 Jun 2023
New 2023 Peugeot 2008 starts from £24,020
Peugeot e-2008 facelift - front

New 2023 Peugeot 2008 starts from £24,020

2008 and all-electric e-2008 get revamped with new design and equipment
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7 Jun 2023
KG Mobility Tivoli update removes SsangYong badging
KG Mobility Tivoli

KG Mobility Tivoli update removes SsangYong badging

The entry-level model has been redesigned and rebranded for 2023 
News
5 Jun 2023
Tesla Model S Plaid beats Nurburgring record
Tesla Model S facelift - front

Tesla Model S Plaid beats Nurburgring record

Tesla has surpassed its own record for electric production cars around the iconic Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit
News
5 Jun 2023
New BMW Z4 M40i 2023 facelift review
BMW Z4 M40i - front

New BMW Z4 M40i 2023 facelift review

Has BMW perfected the modern roadster with the Z4?
Road tests
5 Jun 2023
MG HS 1.5 T-GDI DCT Trophy review
MG HS facelift.- front

MG HS 1.5 T-GDI DCT Trophy review

The MG HS SUV has been facelifted for 2023, but it still feels dated compared to its main rivals
Road tests
5 Jun 2023
Vauxhall Grandland vs Kia Sportage 2023: twin test review
Vauxhall Grandland Kia Sportage header

Vauxhall Grandland vs Kia Sportage 2023: twin test review

Vauxhall has tweaked the Grandland to provide a stronger rival to the big-selling Kia Sportage. We find out if it has succeeded
Car group tests
3 Jun 2023
New Ferrari SF90 to spawn hardcore VS variant
Ferrari SF90 VS (camouflaged) - front

New Ferrari SF90 to spawn hardcore VS variant

Ferrari is testing a special version of its SF90 hypercar
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2 Jun 2023
New Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB unveiled as seven-seat electric MPV
Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB - front

New Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB unveiled as seven-seat electric MPV

The long-wheelbase Volkswagen ID. Buzz gets a third row of seats to carry up to seven people
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2 Jun 2023
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New 2024 Toyota Yaris gets more powerful hybrid engine
Toyota Yaris Hybrid - front

New 2024 Toyota Yaris gets more powerful hybrid engine

The popular Toyota Yaris supermini has also gained new technology and trim levels
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31 May 2023
New Jeep AI technology to aid off-roading
Jeep AI technology

New Jeep AI technology to aid off-roading

Jeep is looking to autonomous driving to further off-road capability
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31 May 2023
New Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ revealed
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow - front

New Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan ‘Blue Shadow’ revealed

The exclusive Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Blue Shadow is limited to just 62 examples
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31 May 2023
New 2023 Mazda 2 facelift starts from £17,750
Mazda 2 - front tracking

New 2023 Mazda 2 facelift starts from £17,750

The new Mazda 2 is now available with a revised exterior design
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31 May 2023
New Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 added to line up
Citroen C5 Aircross hybrid - front tracking

New Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 added to line up

Citroen claims the new hybrid technology improves fuel efficiency by up to 30 per cent
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30 May 2023
New 2023 BMW 5 Series revealed: powertrains, design and technology
BMW i5 - front action

New 2023 BMW 5 Series revealed: powertrains, design and technology

The all-new BMW 5 Series executive saloon will go on sale in October with petrol and pure electric options available
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26 May 2023
LEVC TX taxi and VN5 van get 2023 battery upgrade
LEVC TX taxi

LEVC TX taxi and VN5 van get 2023 battery upgrade

The all-electric range for LEVC’s plug-in hybrid taxi and compact van has increased up to 78 miles
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24 May 2023
New Caterham EV Seven revealed: driver-focused lightweight concept
Caterham Seven EV - side

New Caterham EV Seven revealed: driver-focused lightweight concept

Caterham's first electric car will make its public debut in July
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23 May 2023
New Citroen Ami Buggy: UK allocation limited to 40 units
Citroen Ami Buggy - front

New Citroen Ami Buggy: UK allocation limited to 40 units

Citroen’s all-electric quadricycle will go on sale 20 June
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23 May 2023
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