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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 BMW M5 shouts about its 716bhp with M Performance Parts
BMW M5 with M Performance parts - front and rear 3/4

New BMW M5 shouts about its 716bhp with M Performance Parts

The controversial M5 is the latest BMW M car to be offered with the ‘retrofit products’
News
29 Jul 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
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23 Jul 2024
Morgan’s electric future laid bare: British firm plots a truly exhilarating EV
OB x Morgan Super 3 - front badge

Morgan’s electric future laid bare: British firm plots a truly exhilarating EV

The Morgan CEO tells us that a fully-electric Morgan “will come without compromise”
News
19 Jul 2024
New Kia Sorento Hybrid 2024 review: family favourite SUV ups its game
Kia Sorento Hybrid - front

New Kia Sorento Hybrid 2024 review: family favourite SUV ups its game

The popular seven-seat Kia Sorento SUV gets a new look, and a lower starting price
Road tests
19 Jul 2024
New Kia Picanto 2024 facelift review: classy small car keeps big car appeal
Kia Picanto facelift UK - front

New Kia Picanto 2024 facelift review: classy small car keeps big car appeal

Kia's revised Picanto city car remains a grown-up choice with plenty of appeal for buyers
Road tests
19 Jul 2024
The Dacia Sandero is Europe’s best selling car, so far 
Dacia Sandero - front

The Dacia Sandero is Europe’s best selling car, so far 

Global demand for the Romanian supermini has grown alongside its huge popularity in Europe
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18 Jul 2024
New Hyundai Ioniq 5 gets more range and sub £40,000 price tag
New 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 - front static

New Hyundai Ioniq 5 gets more range and sub £40,000 price tag

There’s a fresh design, new batteries and more equipment for Hyundai’s family EV
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18 Jul 2024
TVR’s Wales factory deal put £14m of public funds at risk
TVR Griffith

TVR’s Wales factory deal put £14m of public funds at risk

TVR’s future hangs in the balance as the Welsh Government receives a damning statement from the Auditor General
News
16 Jul 2024
New BMW X5 can’t hide Neue Klasse influence as 2025 launch approaches
BMW X5 spy shot - front 3/4

New BMW X5 can’t hide Neue Klasse influence as 2025 launch approaches

The fifth generation of BMW’s popular large SUV is set to arrive next year and our spies have spotted it already
News
16 Jul 2024
New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe update spotted for the first time
New BMW 2 Series GranCoupe - front

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe update spotted for the first time

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe will take inspiration from the latest 1 Series with a series of updates
News
16 Jul 2024
Volkswagen in major deal to produce solid state batteries for one million EVs
Volkswagen badge

Volkswagen in major deal to produce solid state batteries for one million EVs

VW battery subsidiary PowerCo has licenced solid state battery technology from QuantumScape with big plans to power production cars
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15 Jul 2024
Volvo V60 review
Volvo V60 - main image

Volvo V60 review

If you want a luxurious and spacious estate, the Volvo V60 offers a relaxed alternative to German rivals
In-depth reviews
15 Jul 2024
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Smart #1 Brabus gets even more radical with ‘individualisation program’
Smart #1 Brabus - front 3/4 static

Smart #1 Brabus gets even more radical with ‘individualisation program’

The Brabus-tuned Smart #1 receives a bodykit and £7,000 wheels
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15 Jul 2024
Citroen C4 facelift to bring new family face for 2025
New Citroen C4 facelift - front tracking

Citroen C4 facelift to bring new family face for 2025

Citroen’s family crossover is about to get a makeover inspired by the new C3 supermini
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15 Jul 2024
Omoda and Jaecoo remain flexible on 2035 ICE ban and look at UK production to dodge tariffs
New Omoda 5 and Jaecoo 7

Omoda and Jaecoo remain flexible on 2035 ICE ban and look at UK production to dodge tariffs

The Chinese sister firms are open to the idea of local production to help with possible tariffs.
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15 Jul 2024
All-electric Ford Puma Gen-E gets ready for launch
Ford Puma Gen-E spy shot - front 3/4

All-electric Ford Puma Gen-E gets ready for launch

The Ford Puma Gen-E will arrive later in 2024 with a fresh design compared to the ICE model
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15 Jul 2024
New Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: exclusive hypercar appears at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Goodwood FoS 2024

New Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: exclusive hypercar appears at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Alfa Romeo’s says “courage and madness” has helped create its new 207mph 33 Stradale hypercar
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13 Jul 2024
New Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid gets 84-mile electric range
Skoda Superb iV - front tracking

New Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid gets 84-mile electric range

The PHEV version of the Skoda Superb will only be offered in estate form
News
12 Jul 2024
Lamborghini Temerario set for Pebble Beach reveal on 16 August
Lamborghini Temerario - front

Lamborghini Temerario set for Pebble Beach reveal on 16 August

The Lamborghini Huracan’s successor will adopt a twin-turbocharged V8 and plug-in hybrid technology
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12 Jul 2024
New MG Cyber GTS Concept revealed at Goodwood with big hints of 2025 Cyberster coupe
MG Cyber GT Concept on display at 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed - front static

New MG Cyber GTS Concept revealed at Goodwood with big hints of 2025 Cyberster coupe

MG has strongly suggested the hardtop version of the Cyberster could arrive on sale next year
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12 Jul 2024
Covers are off new MG HS family SUV at Goodwood Festival of Speed
MG HS on display at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - front static

Covers are off new MG HS family SUV at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The previous MG HS was a big-seller for MG in the UK and there are high hopes for this one…
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12 Jul 2024
New DS 4 Hybrid arrives with posh trim levels to match premium aspirations
DS 4 - side tracking

New DS 4 Hybrid arrives with posh trim levels to match premium aspirations

The fresh DS 4 Pallas and Étoile trim levels bring new exterior and interior styling with pricing from £32,450
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10 Jul 2024
Polestar 4 review
Polestar 4 - front

Polestar 4 review

Polestar is treading its own path in the EV world and the new Polestar 4 highlights this for good and bad
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30 Jun 2024
Le Mans 2024 preview: hypercar teams gun for glory at La Sarthe
Le Mans racing cars on the Dunlop Chicane

Le Mans 2024 preview: hypercar teams gun for glory at La Sarthe

Here are 5 reasons to get excited about the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours
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10 Jun 2024
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Polestar 3 review
Polestar 3 - front

Polestar 3 review

The Polestar 3 is a fascinating addition to the premium SUV sector with a classy interior and strong equipment levels
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9 Jun 2024
Vauxhall Corsa review
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo GS main image

Vauxhall Corsa review

The Vauxhall Corsa is a smart-looking supermini, has numerous engine options, and offers good levels of standard equipment
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7 Jun 2024
Cupra Formentor vs Audi SQ2: sporty SUV shootout
Cupra Formentor and Audi SQ2 - front tracking

Cupra Formentor vs Audi SQ2: sporty SUV shootout

Two closely related hot SUVs battle it out. Which is the best all-rounder?
Car group tests
27 May 2024
New Kia EV3 is a £30k electric car with a 372-mile range
Kia EV3 - front

New Kia EV3 is a £30k electric car with a 372-mile range

Kia expands its electric line up with the EV3 – taking plenty of inspiration from the flagship EV9
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23 May 2024
Smart #3 review
Smart #3 - front

Smart #3 review

The Smart #3 is a practical mid-size coupe-SUV that’s great to drive but with annoying infotainment and quality issues
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21 May 2024
Callum Skye is an £80k dune buggy from the future
Callum Skye prototype - side

Callum Skye is an £80k dune buggy from the future

Warwickshire-based design firm Callum has opened order books for the new Skye
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20 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: SEAT Leon is an ideal family hatchback for £165 a month
SEAT Leon TSI EVO - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: SEAT Leon is an ideal family hatchback for £165 a month

Excellent interior quality and efficiency make the SEAT Leon our Deal of the Day for 17 May
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17 May 2024
Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is £200,000 of electric opulence
Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV front 3/4

Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is £200,000 of electric opulence

If a regular Mercedes EQS SUV isn’t flash enough, then Maybach might have the answer…
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17 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: rack up the miles in this Cupra Born for £266 a month
Cupra Born 77kWh V3 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: rack up the miles in this Cupra Born for £266 a month

Cupra’s bespoke Born brought electric power to the hot hatch segment and at £266 a month it’s our Deal of the Day for 16 May
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16 May 2024
Polestar 2 to be replaced by Polestar 7 in new Apple iPhone-style naming plan
Polestar 1 close up of the grill and badge

Polestar 2 to be replaced by Polestar 7 in new Apple iPhone-style naming plan

The next-generation Polestar 2 will be called Polestar 7 in a move to a new chronological naming strategy
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16 May 2024