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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 Volkswagen T-Cross Move launched
Volkswagen T-Cross Move

New Volkswagen T-Cross Move launched

VW’s baby SUV has gained a new trim level, starting from £23,470
News
19 Apr 2023
New Toyota bZ3 electric saloon makes Shanghai Auto Show debut
Toyota bZ3 saloon Shanghai - front

New Toyota bZ3 electric saloon makes Shanghai Auto Show debut

The bZ3 will share plenty of parts with Toyota’s bZ4X SUV
News
19 Apr 2023
New Cupra Leon 2023 facelift spied testing on the Nurburgring
Cupra Leon spy - front

New Cupra Leon 2023 facelift spied testing on the Nurburgring

Cupra is giving the Leon a refresh this year in a fresh attack on the hot hatch market
News
18 Apr 2023
New 2023 Hyundai Kona: pricing and specifications revealed
2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid - front

New 2023 Hyundai Kona: pricing and specifications revealed

The second-generation Kona has arrived and it’s priced from £25,725
News
14 Apr 2023
New Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante drop-top unveiled
New Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante front

New Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante drop-top unveiled

Just 199 units of the special edition Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante model will be built
News
13 Apr 2023
New 2023 Skoda Octavia facelift: specs, prices and release date
Facelifted Skoda Octavia spyshots - estate front

New 2023 Skoda Octavia facelift: specs, prices and release date

Skoda is testing out its updated Octavia in hatchback and estate guises
News
13 Apr 2023
New 2023 Suzuki Swift: latest on fourth-generation supermini
2023 Suzuki Swift test car - front

New 2023 Suzuki Swift: latest on fourth-generation supermini

Spy shots reveal Suzuki won’t abandon the supermini sector
News
13 Apr 2023
Ford BlueCruise: UK’s first legal hands-free driving tech arrives
Ford BlueCruise

Ford BlueCruise: UK’s first legal hands-free driving tech arrives

It’s the first legal hands-free driving system to be available on cars sold in the UK
News
13 Apr 2023
New BMW XM 50e: entry-level super SUV announced
BMW XM 50e

New BMW XM 50e: entry-level super SUV announced

BMW’s XM will spawn a new trim level powered by a straight-six
News
13 Apr 2023
Audi revises 2023 trim level range around Sport, S line and Black Edition models
Audi Q8 PHEV - front

Audi revises 2023 trim level range around Sport, S line and Black Edition models

Audi says the new trim level structure will provide a simpler experience for customers
News
12 Apr 2023
World’s most expensive car number plate sells for £12m 
P 7 number plate most expensive in the world

World’s most expensive car number plate sells for £12m 

A Dubai-based auction smashes a 15-year old record for the most expensive licence plate in the world.
News
11 Apr 2023
New Jeep Wrangler facelift will come to the UK
2024 Jeep Wrangler at New York Auto Show - front

New Jeep Wrangler facelift will come to the UK

Jeep says details on the Wrangler’s UK launch will be announced later this year
News
6 Apr 2023
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New 2023 Hyundai i10: pricing and specifications revealed
Facelifted Hyundai i10 and i10 N-Line - front static

New 2023 Hyundai i10: pricing and specifications revealed

Hyundai has given its smallest model a facelift this year
News
6 Apr 2023
Vauxhall Corsa gains technology boost for 2023
Vauxhall Corsa update 2023 - front

Vauxhall Corsa gains technology boost for 2023

The popular Vauxhall Corsa supermini gets a trim level restructure
News
5 Apr 2023
New Vauxhall Mokka Black special edition launched
Vauxhall Mokka Black special edition

New Vauxhall Mokka Black special edition launched

Vauxhall has added a new trim level to the Mokka range with exterior and interior tweaks
News
5 Apr 2023
Next Volkswagen T-Roc will be last new petrol VW in Europe
Volkswagen badge

Next Volkswagen T-Roc will be last new petrol VW in Europe

Volkswagen’s internal-combustion engined cars will bow out with the next-generation T-Roc
News
3 Apr 2023
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (2020-2023) review
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack - front

Volkswagen Golf Alltrack (2020-2023) review

The Alltrack is a useful addition to the Golf range
Road tests
3 Apr 2023
New Jeep Compass High Altitude Special Edition comes with mild-hybrid power
Jeep Compass High Altitude - front

New Jeep Compass High Altitude Special Edition comes with mild-hybrid power

The Jeep Compass has a new High Altitude trim level with minor tweaks to the exterior and interior
News
3 Apr 2023
New Jeep Renegade Upland Special Edition launches from £36,500 
Jeep Renegade Upland - front

New Jeep Renegade Upland Special Edition launches from £36,500 

Jeep has revealed a new version of its Renegade SUV, complete with a 237bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain
News
3 Apr 2023
New Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech Plus unveiled as range-topping SUV
Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech Plus - front static

New Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech Plus unveiled as range-topping SUV

VW’s flagship SUV gains new technology-laden trim level, starting from £64,520
News
31 Mar 2023
New Jeep concepts celebrate Easter Safari event
Jeep Moab Safari concepts - train

New Jeep concepts celebrate Easter Safari event

The concepts won’t make it to production, but they do show what technology Jeep is playing around with
News
30 Mar 2023
Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI Style review
Volkswagen T-Roc - front cornering

Volkswagen T-Roc 1.5 TSI Style review

Has a light facelift transformed the popular Volkswagen T-Roc? We hit UK roads to find out...
Road tests
29 Mar 2023
Top 10 best 8-seater cars to buy
Best eight-seater cars - header image

Top 10 best 8-seater cars to buy

Is an eight-seater what your family needs? Here is a list of the models that go where MPVs can't reach
Best cars & vans
29 Mar 2023
New Fisker Ocean claims record official SUV range of up to 440 miles
Fisker Ocean at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed - front end

New Fisker Ocean claims record official SUV range of up to 440 miles

The ‘Extreme’ version of Ocean SUV with the Hyper Range battery claims top spot as longest range electric SUV on sale in Europe
News
28 Mar 2023
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New Suzuki Swace 2023 review
Suzuki Swace

New Suzuki Swace 2023 review

Suzuki's rebadged Toyota Corolla Touring is all the better for the latest set of revisions...
Road tests
24 Mar 2023
“SEAT could be the first victim as the affordable electric car battles begin”
Opinion - SEAT

“SEAT could be the first victim as the affordable electric car battles begin”

Alastair Crooks foresees a bleak future for SEAT and it may not be the only casualty as manufacturers fight it out in the cheap EV space…
Opinion
24 Mar 2023
Lamborghini Miura (1966-1973) icon review
Lamborghini Miura - front

Lamborghini Miura (1966-1973) icon review

The Lamborghini Miura is an Italian supercar that took on Ferrari’s finest
Road tests
23 Mar 2023
Cupra’s success could spell the end for SEAT
Cupra Born - front badge

Cupra’s success could spell the end for SEAT

SEAT financial conference sees firm post positive results with Cupra leading the way
News
22 Mar 2023
New 2023 MINI Clubman Final Edition could be last of its kind
MINI Clubman Final Edition - front

New 2023 MINI Clubman Final Edition could be last of its kind

The MINI Clubman gets a limited-edition trim level with nods to its past
News
21 Mar 2023
New Polestar 2 BST edition 230 starts from £73,900
Polestar 2 BST edition 230 - front

New Polestar 2 BST edition 230 starts from £73,900

The all-electric Polestar 2 gets another rare, performance focused variant called the BST edition 230
News
21 Mar 2023
New Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Arrow marks end of the line for the Wraith
Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Arrow - front angle static

New Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Arrow marks end of the line for the Wraith

Rolls-Royce has announced the V12-powered Wraith will bow out with a limited edition
News
20 Mar 2023
New SsangYong Torres EVX: compact all-electric crossover arrives
SsangYong Torres EVX front

New SsangYong Torres EVX: compact all-electric crossover arrives

SsangYong has pulled the covers off its second-ever EV, the Torres EVX
News
17 Mar 2023
Mazda MX-5 2.0 Homura 2023 review
Mazda MX-5 Homura - front tracking

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Homura 2023 review

Mazda has updated its best-selling sports car once again, but you might struggle to spot the changes
Road tests
17 Mar 2023
New Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift revealed with 302bhp
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift - front

New Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 facelift revealed with 302bhp

The Mercedes GLB has been given a bundle of updates by the brand’s AMG division
News
16 Mar 2023