Skip advert
Advertisement
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

Dacia unveils new badge design
Dacia new logo

Dacia unveils new badge design

The new ‘Dacia Link’ logo will soon appear on the Romanian firm’s cars
News
15 Jun 2022
2022 Volkswagen ID.5 price drops with new entry-level model
VW ID.5 - entry-level: front tracking

2022 Volkswagen ID.5 price drops with new entry-level model

Style and GTX Style join Volkswagen’s all-electric ID.5 range and gives a slight bump in range
News
14 Jun 2022
New driver-focused Bentley Flying Spur S revealed
Bentley Flying Spur S - front tracking

New driver-focused Bentley Flying Spur S revealed

Bentley claims the V8-powered Flying Spur S has a 198mph top speed
News
13 Jun 2022
Fiat tests wireless road charging
Fiat 500 undergoing wireless charging testing

Fiat tests wireless road charging

‘Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer’ allowed an electric Fiat 500 to drive without losing battery life
News
13 Jun 2022
UK debut for 2022 McLaren Artura on 15 June
McLaren Artura - front

UK debut for 2022 McLaren Artura on 15 June

The inaugural Saville Row concours event will play host to the public debut of the McLaren Artura
News
10 Jun 2022
Radford Type 62-2 will make dynamic debut at Goodwood
Radford Type 62-2 (JPS livery) - front

Radford Type 62-2 will make dynamic debut at Goodwood

Festival of Speed visitors will be able to see retro-designed Radford Type 62-2 drive up the famous hill
News
10 Jun 2022
Porsche 928 gets a restomod version courtesy of Nardone Automotive
 Nardone Automotive Porsche 928 restomod - right side

Porsche 928 gets a restomod version courtesy of Nardone Automotive

There’s plenty of Porsche 911 restomods out there, but now it’s the turn of the 928
News
8 Jun 2022
Elon Musk says self-driving beta is expanding to 100,000 Teslas
Tesla Model S - interior driving

Elon Musk says self-driving beta is expanding to 100,000 Teslas

Tesla’s ‘full self-driving’ software will also be able to drive without map data
News
8 Jun 2022
Updated Fiat Doblo joined by all-electric E-Doblo van
Fiat E-Doblo - front tracking

Updated Fiat Doblo joined by all-electric E-Doblo van

Fiat’s pure-electric model lineup grows with the arrival of the E-Doblo electric van
News
7 Jun 2022
New Apple CarPlay infotainment update incoming
Apple CarPlay full dashboard setup

New Apple CarPlay infotainment update incoming

The popular Apple CarPlay system can be found in most new cars these days and it’s getting a refresh
News
7 Jun 2022
Mercedes recalls ML, GL and R-Class due to braking issue

Mercedes recalls ML, GL and R-Class due to braking issue

Mercedes says rust could cause affect the brake booster on three older models and has issued a recall
News
6 Jun 2022
New driver-focused Bentley Continental GT S revealed
Bentley Continental GTC S - front

New driver-focused Bentley Continental GT S revealed

The new S is based on the V8 model and is available on the Bentley Continental GT and GTC
News
6 Jun 2022
Skip advert
Advertisement
Surf’s up as new Citroen C3 Aircross Rip Curl revealed
Citroen C3 Rip Curl - front tracking

Surf’s up as new Citroen C3 Aircross Rip Curl revealed

Citroen wants you to make the most of the British summer with this special edition C3 Aircross Rip Curl
News
6 Jun 2022
New Maserati MC20 Cielo PrimaSerie Limited Edition revealed
Maserati MC20 Cielo PrimaSerie - rear static

New Maserati MC20 Cielo PrimaSerie Limited Edition revealed

Just 65 examples of the PrimaSerie Maserati MC20 Cielo will be built
News
6 Jun 2022
Le Mans-inspired Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 launched
Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 - front

Le Mans-inspired Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 launched

The new Jaguar F-Pace SVR Edition 1988 is a homage to the iconic Le Mans-winning XJR-9, and is on sale now
News
31 May 2022
Fiat to only sell electrified cars in the UK from July
Fiat 500 - front static

Fiat to only sell electrified cars in the UK from July

Fiat’s entire lineup of cars will contain some form of electrification
News
30 May 2022
New Alpine A110 GT J. Rédélé special is a tribute to the firm’s founder
Alpine A110 GT J. Rédélé special - front/side

New Alpine A110 GT J. Rédélé special is a tribute to the firm’s founder

Alpine founder Jean Rédélé is honoured by a limited edition A110 GT in his name
News
30 May 2022
New DeLorean Alpha5 gets 300-mile range and gull-wing doors
DeLorean Alpha5 - front static

New DeLorean Alpha5 gets 300-mile range and gull-wing doors

Gull-wing doors and a range of over 300 miles for DeLorean’s new Alpha5
News
30 May 2022
New Peugeot 308 Hybrid 180 2022 review
Peugeot 308 Hybrid - front

New Peugeot 308 Hybrid 180 2022 review

Is the more modest 178bhp Peugeot 308 PHEV the pick of the new hatchback's range? We find out...
Road tests
26 May 2022
New BMW M4 50 Jahre edition unveiled
BMW M4 50 Jahre edition - front static

New BMW M4 50 Jahre edition unveiled

Limited Edition BMW M3 and M4 50 Jahre editions celebrate half a century of BMW’s M division
News
24 May 2022
Ultra exclusive Rolls-Royce Boat Tail convertible commission floats in
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail convertible

Ultra exclusive Rolls-Royce Boat Tail convertible commission floats in

Just three Boat Tails have been built, with this one heading to a very special Rolls-Royce customer
News
20 May 2022
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR sells for world-record £114million
1955 Mercedes 300 SLR - side

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR sells for world-record £114million

Mercedes parts company with its 180mph 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for world record fee
News
20 May 2022
New Mercedes Vision AMG concept previews future performance EVs
Mercedes Vision AMG concept - front

New Mercedes Vision AMG concept previews future performance EVs

The all-electric Mercedes Vision AMG concept showcases plans for future Mercedes performance cars in the EV era
New Cars
19 May 2022
New Bentley Bentayga Azure First Edition launched 
New Bentley Bentayga Azure First Edition - front

New Bentley Bentayga Azure First Edition launched 

The Bentayga Azure First Edition is an even more luxurious version of Bentley’s popular SUV 
News
19 May 2022
Skip advert
Advertisement
Ford appeals to EU for 100 per cent electric car sales by 2035
Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford appeals to EU for 100 per cent electric car sales by 2035

Ford proposes a 2035 ban on petrol and diesel car sales 
News
16 May 2022
Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions arrive
Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions

Fiat Panda and Tipo Garmin special editions arrive

New look for Panda and Tipo thanks to Fiat and Garmin collaboration
News
16 May 2022
Shell and ABB team up to deliver world’s fastest electric car charger
Shell charger

Shell and ABB team up to deliver world’s fastest electric car charger

New Shell and ABB-developed Terra 360 EV charger can add 62 miles of range in less than three minutes
News
16 May 2022
Limited edition Brabus 900 XLP revealed
Brabus 900 XLP - front tracking

Limited edition Brabus 900 XLP revealed

Based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63, just 10 Brabus 900 XLPs will be made
News
16 May 2022
GM could re-enter European market with EV-only models
GMC Hummer EV production line

GM could re-enter European market with EV-only models

Investment in EVs could mean a return to Europe for GM brands such as Cadillac and Chevrolet
News
16 May 2022
New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 review
New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 - front

New Fiat Tipo Hybrid 2022 review

The Fiat Tipo gets hybrid power for the first time, but does electrification take it to the next level?
Road tests
13 May 2022
New Fiat 500X Hybrid 2022 review
2022 Fiat 500X Hybrid - front tracking

New Fiat 500X Hybrid 2022 review

A stylish SUV coupled with an electrified powertrain should make the new Fiat 500X hybrid an automatic success, but there are plenty of well-rounded a…
Road tests
13 May 2022
Exclusive Audi paint options unveiled for 2022
Audi TT RS and RS Q3

Exclusive Audi paint options unveiled for 2022

Audi reveals extended colour palette and new updates
News
12 May 2022
New 2022 Peugeot 308 goes on sale from £25,270
2022 Peugeot 308 reveal

New 2022 Peugeot 308 goes on sale from £25,270

Peugeot’s latest 308 retains an estate variant and gets hybrid power for the first time
News
12 May 2022
New Peugeot 308 2022 review
Peugeot 308 UK - front

New Peugeot 308 2022 review

We try the all-new Peugeot 308 on British roads to see if it stands a chance in the competitive hatchback class
Road tests
10 May 2022