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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 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
Updated Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 arrives with mild-hybrid power
Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 facelift - front

Updated Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 arrives with mild-hybrid power

The sporty small Mercedes-AMG GLA 35 SUV gets electrified for 2023 alongside a new exterior design
News
16 Mar 2023
New Mercedes GLA facelift unveiled with electrified power across the range
Mercedes GLA facelift - front

New Mercedes GLA facelift unveiled with electrified power across the range

The entry-level Mercedes GLA SUV has been refreshed with a new look and updated technology
News
16 Mar 2023
New Porsche K1 set to take on luxury electric SUV sector
Porsche K1 SUV teaser

New Porsche K1 set to take on luxury electric SUV sector

Porsche has teased its new flagship SUV, due to launch by 2027
News
14 Mar 2023
New all-electric Ford E-Transit Custom to arrive with 236 miles of range
Ford E-Transit Custom - front static

New all-electric Ford E-Transit Custom to arrive with 236 miles of range

The new E-Transit Custom will go into production at the end of the year
News
13 Mar 2023
New 2023 Nissan Townstar arrives with pure-electric offering
Nissan Townstar - front tracking

New 2023 Nissan Townstar arrives with pure-electric offering

The Nissan Townstar comes with the choice of petrol or fully-electric powertrains
News
10 Mar 2023
New range-topping Alfa Romeo electric SUV to rival BMW iX
Alfa Romeo large SUV (watermarked)

New range-topping Alfa Romeo electric SUV to rival BMW iX

The new large Alfa Romeo SUV will sit above the Stelvio, and our exclusive image previews how it could look
News
9 Mar 2023
New BMW iDrive 9 infotainment update previewed
BMW iDrive 9 screenshot

New BMW iDrive 9 infotainment update previewed

The latest version of BMW’s infotainment system will launch later this year
News
8 Mar 2023
Alfa Romeo to build 1,000bhp BMW M5 rival
Alfa Romeo large electric saloon - front (watermarked)

Alfa Romeo to build 1,000bhp BMW M5 rival

An all-electric Alfa Romeo executive saloon will utilise a tri-motor set up from Maserati
News
27 Feb 2023
New Land Rover Defender SVX spotted with performance upgrades
Land Rover Defender SVX - front

New Land Rover Defender SVX spotted with performance upgrades

Land Rover is working on a more focused version of its Defender V8
News
23 Feb 2023
New BMW i4 eDrive35 base model goes on sale
BMW i4 eDrive35

New BMW i4 eDrive35 base model goes on sale

The eDrive35 is the entry-level i4 model with a 299-mile range
News
23 Feb 2023
New Mercedes GLE: prices and specs for 2023 facelift models
2023 Mercedes GLE Coupe - front

New Mercedes GLE: prices and specs for 2023 facelift models

Every GLE now gets an electrified powertrain to go with revised exterior design
News
22 Feb 2023
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New Lexus RX 450h+ 2023 review
Lexus RX450+ - front tracking

New Lexus RX 450h+ 2023 review

Lexus's large SUV offers plenty of luxury and tech, but it's not as family-friendly as its size would suggest
Road tests
22 Feb 2023
New Audi TT Final Edition signals the end for iconic sports car
Audi TT Final Edition - front static

New Audi TT Final Edition signals the end for iconic sports car

After 25 years, production of the Audi TT draws to a close with a special edition model
News
16 Feb 2023
New 2023 Mercedes EQE SUV starts from £90,560
Mercedes EQE SUV - front tracking

New 2023 Mercedes EQE SUV starts from £90,560

Mercedes has added another model to its EQ range of all-electric cars
News
15 Feb 2023
New Citroen C3 Aircross: all-new model spied testing for first time
Citroen C3 Aircross (camouflaged) - front tracking

New Citroen C3 Aircross: all-new model spied testing for first time

Citroen’s entry-level SUV will return in 2024 with an all-electric variant
News
15 Feb 2023
New Citroen C5 X: French flagship gets updated for 2023
Citroen C5 X - front

New Citroen C5 X: French flagship gets updated for 2023

Citroen’s range-topping C5 X has already received an infotainment upgrade
News
14 Feb 2023
2023 Aston Martin F1 car revealed with new badge
Aston Martin 2023 F1 car - front

2023 Aston Martin F1 car revealed with new badge

New Formula One car celebrates 110 years of Aston Martin alongside a brand-new campus
News
13 Feb 2023
New £250,000 Range Rover Lansdowne Edition unveiled
Range Rover Lansdowne Edition - front

New £250,000 Range Rover Lansdowne Edition unveiled

Land Rover’s SV division has created a limited run Range Rover to celebrate a new “boutique showroom”
News
8 Feb 2023
New 2023 BMW X5 facelift: prices, engines and technology
BMW X5 facelift - front

New 2023 BMW X5 facelift: prices, engines and technology

BMW has given its pioneering X5 SUV a mid-life facelift that will be in showrooms soon
News
7 Feb 2023
BMW X6 gets huge 2023 update to tackle coupe SUV rivals
BMW X6 facelift - front

BMW X6 gets huge 2023 update to tackle coupe SUV rivals

BMW’s current generation X6 has got a facelift with exterior redesign and more efficient engines
News
7 Feb 2023
New Toyota Yaris GR Sport 2023 review
Toyota Yaris GR Sport - front tracking

New Toyota Yaris GR Sport 2023 review

The new GR Sport adds some performance elements to the hybrid-powered Yaris, but can it be called a hot hatch?
Road tests
7 Feb 2023
Lamborghini Invencible coupe and Auténtica roadster bid farewell to the V12
Lamborghini Auténtica roadster - front

Lamborghini Invencible coupe and Auténtica roadster bid farewell to the V12

Lamborghini's two one-off specials are based on the Aventador and arrive just weeks ahead of the supercar’s replacement
News
7 Feb 2023
BMW 8 Series review
BMW 8 Series front

BMW 8 Series review

Muscle car performance and proportions give BMW’s 8 Series old-school appeal, but it’s packed with the latest technology
In-depth reviews
6 Feb 2023
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Ford and Red Bull to partner for 2026 F1 season
Ford-Red Bull F1 partnership

Ford and Red Bull to partner for 2026 F1 season

Ford will be the engine supplier for Red Bull from 2026, ending a 22-year hiatus from Formula One
News
4 Feb 2023
2023 Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic lands as range-topping version
Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic - front tracking

2023 Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic lands as range-topping version

The main benefit of the Iconic is the standard-fit heat pump to improve efficiency
News
1 Feb 2023
New BMW M8 Competition 2023 review
BMW M8 Competition - front cornering

New BMW M8 Competition 2023 review

The M8 Competition has received a mid-life update, but is it enough to take on the luxury sports car segment?
Road tests
1 Feb 2023
New 2023 Range Rover Velar goes on sale from £54k with big updates
Range Rover Velar facelift - front

New 2023 Range Rover Velar goes on sale from £54k with big updates

The Velar receives a bigger battery for the PHEV version and a new exterior design  
News
1 Feb 2023
Audi F1 entry gathers pace with investment in Sauber Group
Audi Formula 1 - front

Audi F1 entry gathers pace with investment in Sauber Group

Audi will take part in the 2026 Formula One season via a joint partnership with Sauber.
News
31 Jan 2023
New Suzuki Jimny EV teased in electrification plan
Suzuki Jimny EV teaser silhouette

New Suzuki Jimny EV teased in electrification plan

Suzuki has given us a glimpse of an all-electric Jimny set to arrive before 2030
News
27 Jan 2023
New BMW M850i xDrive 2023 review
BMW M850i - front tracking

New BMW M850i xDrive 2023 review

BMW's facelift of the M850i might be minimal, but it's still a well-rounded grand tourer
Road tests
27 Jan 2023
New Maserati GranTurismo PrimaSerie limited edition launched
Maserati GranTurismo PrimaSerie - front end

New Maserati GranTurismo PrimaSerie limited edition launched

Only 75 examples of the PrimaSerie will be made, based on the V6-powered GranTurismo Trofeo model
News
27 Jan 2023
New 2023 Audi A3 spotted in sporty S3 guise
Audi S3 (camouflaged) - front

New 2023 Audi A3 spotted in sporty S3 guise

The Audi S3 hot hatch will receive a mid-life facelift later this year
News
26 Jan 2023
Dacia offers free hot water bottles in veiled dig at BMW subscription services 
Dacia offers free hot water bottles

Dacia offers free hot water bottles in veiled dig at BMW subscription services 

Dacia says its hot water bottles poke fun at other manufacturers that charge a subscription to access in-car features
News
25 Jan 2023