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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 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
News
22 Aug 2022
Porsche simulates hydrogen power test around the Nurburgring
Nurburgring

Porsche simulates hydrogen power test around the Nurburgring

The virtual study used a hydrogen-powered turbocharged V8 similar to that used by the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera
News
19 Aug 2022
New Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster aims for 300mph top speed
Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster - front

New Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster aims for 300mph top speed

The new drop-top version of the Hennessey Venom F5 aims for fastest-convertible title
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19 Aug 2022
New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS 2022 review
Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS - front

New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS 2022 review

The superb 496bhp Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS lives up to its reputation on UK roads
Road tests
18 Aug 2022
New Audi RS 4 Avant Competition gets £84,600 price tag
Audi RS 4 Avant Competition

New Audi RS 4 Avant Competition gets £84,600 price tag

Limited to just 75 units, the Audi RS 4 Competition gets a flurry of performance and visual tweaks
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17 Aug 2022
New Singer 964 Cabriolet Turbo Study unveiled 
Singer 930 Turbo Study Cabriolet

New Singer 964 Cabriolet Turbo Study unveiled 

The latest Turbo Study is the first full convertible 911 to be reimagined by Singer 
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16 Aug 2022
New all-electric Maxus T90EV pick-up goes on sale in UK
Maxus T90EV - orange truck static

New all-electric Maxus T90EV pick-up goes on sale in UK

220-mile range and £49,950 price tag for new Maxus T90EV
News
15 Aug 2022
Skoda Enyaq iV customers to receive free upgrades to range
Updated 2023 Skoda Enyaq - front tracking

Skoda Enyaq iV customers to receive free upgrades to range

The upgrades will maximise battery efficiency and add the latest software to existing Skoda Enyaq owners
News
15 Aug 2022
All-electric Firefly Sport aimed at driving lessons for kids
Firefly Sport - child driving

All-electric Firefly Sport aimed at driving lessons for kids

Kids as young as four can get behind the wheel of the supercar-shaped Firefly Sport
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15 Aug 2022
Volkswagen ID.Buzz pickup truck filed as a patent
VW ID.Buzz pickup patent graphic

Volkswagen ID.Buzz pickup truck filed as a patent

Volkswagen is looking into creating a pickup version of its all-electric ID.Buzz
News
15 Aug 2022
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First Arrival Vans will be delivered later this year
Arrival electric van

First Arrival Vans will be delivered later this year

British start-up Arrival will scale back production of its van after half-year financial report
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12 Aug 2022
New Porsche Macan T 2022 review
Porsche Macan T - front tracking

New Porsche Macan T 2022 review

The new Porsche Macan T is the touring version of the popular performance SUV
Road tests
11 Aug 2022
All-electric Mercedes A-Class replacement could still be on
Mercedes A-Class

All-electric Mercedes A-Class replacement could still be on

Mercedes plots A-Class-sized all-electric car on bespoke platform
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11 Aug 2022
Porsche Taycan sets new Nurburgring electric production car record
Porsche Taycan on Nurburgring - front action

Porsche Taycan sets new Nurburgring electric production car record

Porsche EV takes the title from the Tesla Model S Plaid, which set previous record last year
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11 Aug 2022
New Kia XCeed facelift gets £22,995 price tag
Kia XCeed - front

New Kia XCeed facelift gets £22,995 price tag

Tech, design and interior updates make up a series of subtle but important enhancements for Kia’s big-selling family crossover
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11 Aug 2022
New Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric beach buggy revealed
Meyers Manx 2 - front

New Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric beach buggy revealed

The Meyers Manx 2.0 Electric is the firm’s first car for almost 60 years
News
9 Aug 2022
Peugeot updates 2008 and e-2008 with new trim levels for 2022
Peugeot e-2008 - front tracking

Peugeot updates 2008 and e-2008 with new trim levels for 2022

More equipment as standard for Peugeot 2008 SUV and all-electric e-2008
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8 Aug 2022
New 2022 BMW M3 Touring: pricing, specifications and on sale date
BMW M3 Touring - standard car and safety car

New 2022 BMW M3 Touring: pricing, specifications and on sale date

BMW’s new M3 Touring looks to shake up the fast estate segment with 503bhp and 650Nm of torque
News
8 Aug 2022
Dacia Duster Commercial updated for 2022 with design tweaks
Dacia Duster Commercial - front

Dacia Duster Commercial updated for 2022 with design tweaks

The new Dacia Duster Commercial gets a price hike, but remains one of the cheapest vans on sale
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3 Aug 2022
New 2022 Lexus RZ 450e available to order now
Lexus RZ 450e - front

New 2022 Lexus RZ 450e available to order now

Lexus has developed a new architecture with Subaru and Toyota for the all-electric RZ 450e
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2 Aug 2022
New Jeep Grand Cherokee on sale now from £69,900
Jeep Grand Cherokee

New Jeep Grand Cherokee on sale now from £69,900

Jeep has brought its flagship Grand Cherokee to the UK, but there’s no V8 model yet
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2 Aug 2022
Jaguar Land Rover to test cars for electromagnetic compatibility
JLR testing lab

Jaguar Land Rover to test cars for electromagnetic compatibility

The bespoke testing programme aims to put the latest JLR tech through the stresses and strains of everyday life
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2 Aug 2022
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New 2022 Range Rover Sport: pricing, engines and full details
Range Rover Sport - front

New 2022 Range Rover Sport: pricing, engines and full details

The third-generation Range Rover Sport should be a big player in the sporty SUV market with a variety of powertrains
News
1 Aug 2022
Peugeot updates 208 and e-208 equipment for 2022
Peugeot 208 - front tracking

Peugeot updates 208 and e-208 equipment for 2022

The French supermini gets more equipment as standard in 2022
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1 Aug 2022
New Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed with detuned 600bhp V6
Ferrari 296 GT3 - front/nearside

New Ferrari 296 GT3 racer revealed with detuned 600bhp V6

The new Ferrari 296 GTB-based race car will replace the 488 GT3 and arrives without the road car's hybrid system
News
29 Jul 2022
TVR Griffith to finally launch in 2024
TVR Griffith - side/front

TVR Griffith to finally launch in 2024

V8-powered Griffith still on the cards despite TVR’s new push for electrification
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28 Jul 2022
New SsangYong Torres unveiled on social media
Ssangyong Torres - front

New SsangYong Torres unveiled on social media

SsangYong’s new Torres will take on the electric SUV market in 2023
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28 Jul 2022
New Land Rover Defender Trophy II released for 2022
Land Rover Defender Trophy II - front tracking

New Land Rover Defender Trophy II released for 2022

The V8-powered classic Defender has returned with an additional bodystyle and plenty of off-road gear
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28 Jul 2022
BMW M Hybrid V8 hypercar set to race at Le Mans
BMW M Hybrid V8 hypercar - side/front

BMW M Hybrid V8 hypercar set to race at Le Mans

BMW’s new LMDh class entry will take part in the World Endurance Championship from 2024
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27 Jul 2022
One-off Skoda Enyaq iV FestEVal revealed
Skoda Enyaq iV FestEVal - side static with rooftent up

One-off Skoda Enyaq iV FestEVal revealed

This Skoda Enyaq FestEVal aims to be the ideal transport for festival goers
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25 Jul 2022
New Rolls-Royce ‘Droptail’ could be a new ultra-exclusive luxury car
Rolls-Royce spirit of Ecstasy

New Rolls-Royce ‘Droptail’ could be a new ultra-exclusive luxury car

BMW has trademarked the name ‘Droptail’ on behalf of Rolls-Royce, suggesting a new highly exclusive luxury car is coming
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22 Jul 2022
Multiple wins for Auto Express at Newspress Awards
Autovia team at Newspress Awards ceremony

Multiple wins for Auto Express at Newspress Awards

The annual Newspress Awards saw us take home individual and group wins
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22 Jul 2022