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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

The Citroen Oli concept is a £22,000 cardboard car of the future
Citroen Ami - AEX front

The Citroen Oli concept is a £22,000 cardboard car of the future

As it moves towards an all-electric future, Citroen will be injecting the quirky spirit of the Ami into its mainstream models - the Oil concept shows …
News
30 Sep 2022
New Lamborghini Urus S arrives as Performante's hot SUV understudy
Lamborghini Urus S - front

New Lamborghini Urus S arrives as Performante's hot SUV understudy

The Lamborghini Urus S is the new entry-level model in the Italian brand’s super SUV range
News
29 Sep 2022
Bentley Bentayga Hybrid range gains S and Azure models
Bentley Bentayga S and Azure

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid range gains S and Azure models

The latest batch of Bentayga Hybrids come with even more power and pure-EV range
News
29 Sep 2022
New Ferrari SP51 unveiled as a one-off commission
Ferrari SP51 1

New Ferrari SP51 unveiled as a one-off commission

The 812 GTS-based SP51 is the latest creation from Ferrari’s ‘Special Projects’ division
News
28 Sep 2022
Peugeot e-208 gets more range and power for 2023
Peugeot e-208 2023

Peugeot e-208 gets more range and power for 2023

Peugeot has given the e-208 supermini the bigger battery from the upcoming e-308
News
28 Sep 2022
Citroen Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette revives classic 2CV van style
Citroen Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette front

Citroen Berlingo 2CV Fourgonnette revives classic 2CV van style

Citroen has taken inspiration from the Fourgonnette van version of the iconic 2CV to create a retro Berlingo-based model with coachbuilder Caselani.
News
26 Sep 2022
Ford Focus ST Track Pack launched
ford focus st track pack

Ford Focus ST Track Pack launched

The Track Pack adds uprated suspension, brakes and tyres to Ford’s hot hatch
News
26 Sep 2022
Mercedes teases first all-electric virtual show car
Mercedes all-electric virtual show car

Mercedes teases first all-electric virtual show car

The new concept car from Mercedes could preview future design language
News
26 Sep 2022
New ultra-limited Brabus P 900 Rocket Edition launched with 888bhp
Brabus P 900 Rocket Edition - front

New ultra-limited Brabus P 900 Rocket Edition launched with 888bhp

The Brabus P 900 Rocket Edition is a lowered version of the Brabus 900 XLP
News
26 Sep 2022
New Skoda Vision GT is digital single-seater sports car concept
Skoda Vision GT - front

New Skoda Vision GT is digital single-seater sports car concept

Czech brand says the all-electric Vision GT is inspired by 1100OHC racer but will remain a concept
News
21 Sep 2022
New Caterham Super Seven 600 and 2000 launched
Caterham Super Seven 600 and 2000 - front

New Caterham Super Seven 600 and 2000 launched

The two new Caterham models arrive to help celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary next year
News
21 Sep 2022
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo: prices, powertrains and range
Volkswagen ID Buzz Cargo - front

Volkswagen ID. Buzz Cargo: prices, powertrains and range

The retro-styled Cargo version of Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz is available to order now
News
20 Sep 2022
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New Mercedes GLC 300 de 2022 review
Mercedes GLC 300 de - front tracking

New Mercedes GLC 300 de 2022 review

The GLC 300 de proves Mercedes knows best when it comes to diesel plug-in hybrids
Road tests
15 Sep 2022
New Subaru Crosstrek: XV SUV gets a new name and facelift
Subaru Crosstrek - front static

New Subaru Crosstrek: XV SUV gets a new name and facelift

Subaru plans on bringing the Crosstrek to the UK with a redesign of the exterior and interior
News
15 Sep 2022
Hennessey VelociRaptor 6x6: six-wheeled super truck unveiled
Hennessey VelociRaptor 6x6 - front

Hennessey VelociRaptor 6x6: six-wheeled super truck unveiled

Hennessey has added another axle and plenty of power to the Ford F-150 to create the VelociRaptor 6x6
News
14 Sep 2022
New Land Rover Defender 75th Limited Edition available now from £86k
Land Rover Defender 110 75th Anniversary Edition - front

New Land Rover Defender 75th Limited Edition available now from £86k

The new special edition Land Rover Defender can be had in 90 or 110 guises
News
13 Sep 2022
New Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor 2022 review
Volvo XC40 Recharge - front

New Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor 2022 review

The XC40 Recharge Single Motor goes to show just how quickly both the SUV and pure-electric segments evolve
Road tests
13 Sep 2022
Pagani Utopia unveiled as supercar brand’s third car
Pagani Utopia - front

Pagani Utopia unveiled as supercar brand’s third car

The Utopia is both more powerful and lighter than the outgoing Pagani Huayra
News
12 Sep 2022
New Volvo nameplates suggest all-electric range plans
Volvo badge

New Volvo nameplates suggest all-electric range plans

Volvo files trademarks for new car names which could point to the structure of its new all-electric model range
News
12 Sep 2022
New Volkswagen ID. Xtreme Concept could preview off-road ID.4
VW ID. Xtreme Concept - front static

New Volkswagen ID. Xtreme Concept could preview off-road ID.4

Volkswagen says the ID. Xtreme Concept “is ready for every off-road adventure”
News
12 Sep 2022
Mercedes and Rivian announce electric van partnership
Mercedes and Rivian logos

Mercedes and Rivian announce electric van partnership

The move will see EV-maker Rivian and Mercedes co-produce large electric vans
News
8 Sep 2022
New Jeep Wagoneer S electric SUV to target BMW iX and Audi e-tron
Jeep Wagoneer S - front

New Jeep Wagoneer S electric SUV to target BMW iX and Audi e-tron

Jeep claims the all-electric Wagoneer S will come with 400 miles of range
News
8 Sep 2022
New pure-electric Jeep Recon to launch in 2025
Jeep Recon - front

New pure-electric Jeep Recon to launch in 2025

The retro-styled Recon will be an all-electric alternative to the Jeep Wrangler
News
8 Sep 2022
Hardcore KTM X-BOW GT-XR road-legal track car revealed
KTM X-BOW GT-XR - tracking

Hardcore KTM X-BOW GT-XR road-legal track car revealed

KTM is back with an Audi-powered, racecar-derived X-BOW GT-XR
News
7 Sep 2022
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New Mercedes GLC 2022 review
Mercedes GLC - front

New Mercedes GLC 2022 review

The new Mercedes GLC is an improvement in almost every area, but is it good enough to compete with the very best in the mid-size premium SUV class
Road tests
5 Sep 2022
New 2022 Ford Ranger available to order from £47,220
Ford Ranger - front

New 2022 Ford Ranger available to order from £47,220

The latest Ford Ranger pick-up can be had with a new V6 powertrain
News
2 Sep 2022
New range-topping Citroen My Ami Tonic revealed with £8,695 price tag
Citroen My Ami Tonic - front action

New range-topping Citroen My Ami Tonic revealed with £8,695 price tag

A new top-spec Citroen Ami has been unveiled with an even funkier exterior
News
2 Sep 2022
New 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross gets £26,930 starting price
Citroen C5 Aircross

New 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross gets £26,930 starting price

Citroen C5 Aircross prices have been tweaked, but the SUV retains the same powertrains and trim levels
News
31 Aug 2022
New Smart #1 Brabus is a 422bhp all-electric family SUV
Smart Brabus 1 - front

New Smart #1 Brabus is a 422bhp all-electric family SUV

The hot Brabus variant of the all-electric Smart #1 also offers a sporty exterior makeover
News
26 Aug 2022
Numbers of Koenigsegg CC850s increase to 70 due to high demand
Koenigsegg CC850 - front

Numbers of Koenigsegg CC850s increase to 70 due to high demand

The CC850 is a homage to the Koenigsegg CC8S from 2002 with a manual and automatic gearbox
News
26 Aug 2022
Tesla Model Y lineup expands with Rear-Wheel Drive version
Tesla Model Y - front static

Tesla Model Y lineup expands with Rear-Wheel Drive version

The Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive is the new entry-level option in the range, starting from £51,990
News
26 Aug 2022
New 2023 Toyota Corolla goes on sale from £29,610
2023 Toyota Corolla Sports Touring 3D render - front

New 2023 Toyota Corolla goes on sale from £29,610

Updated powertrains, trim levels and more technology in Toyota Corolla mid-life refresh
News
24 Aug 2022
New Czinger Hyper GT: 1,233bhp four-seater unveiled
Czinger Hyper GT - front (colour)

New Czinger Hyper GT: 1,233bhp four-seater unveiled

Czinger says the new Hyper GT is design to carry four adults in luxury, at speed
News
22 Aug 2022
New Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II ‘Maverick’ highlights bespoke details
Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II ‘Maverick’ - front tracking

New Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II ‘Maverick’ highlights bespoke details

The latest Phantom commission features the broadest range of personalisation ever on a Rolls-Royce
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22 Aug 2022