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

Car Deal of the Day: Dacia Spring is a cheap EV from £158 per month
Dacia Spring - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Dacia Spring is a cheap EV from £158 per month

Dacia Spring shows all-electric power needn’t cost a bundle with this offer, which is our Deal of the Day for 2 September
News
2 Sep 2024
New Kia Sorento diesel 2024 review: life in the old oil burner yet
Kia Sorento diesel 2024 front tracking

New Kia Sorento diesel 2024 review: life in the old oil burner yet

The Kia Sorento diesel might not be the most powerful, efficient or fashionable option in the range but it still makes some sense, especially as a tow…
Road tests
30 Aug 2024
BMW X3 M Performance Parts give us a glimpse of upcoming X3 M super SUV
BMW X3 M Performance Parts - front 3/4

BMW X3 M Performance Parts give us a glimpse of upcoming X3 M super SUV

Here’s what the new X3 M could look like courtesy of BMW’s latest accessories package
News
30 Aug 2024
New ‘Hyundai Way’ strategy fails to rule out combustion engines in EV and hydrogen future
Hyundai badge

New ‘Hyundai Way’ strategy fails to rule out combustion engines in EV and hydrogen future

Hyundai has laid out its plans for ICE and has reaffirmed its commitment to hydrogen
News
30 Aug 2024
Could Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke be the ultimate Classic Defender?
Land Rover Defender V8 90 and 110 by Works Bespoke - side tracking

Could Land Rover Defender V8 by Works Bespoke be the ultimate Classic Defender?

A 410bhp 5.0-litre V8 powers the ‘next chapter’ of the Classic Defender
News
28 Aug 2024
New Vauxhall Frontera Hybrid and Electric models go on sale at the same price
Vauxhall Frontera - front

New Vauxhall Frontera Hybrid and Electric models go on sale at the same price

Orders for Vauxhall’s new Frontera SUV will open in Autumn
News
28 Aug 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Renault Symbioz is the new kid on the block from £190 per month
Renault Symbioz - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Renault Symbioz is the new kid on the block from £190 per month

A tried and tested platform with a clever hybrid powertrain –- the new Renault Symbioz is our Deal of the Day for 23 August
News
23 Aug 2024
Denza Z9GT features ‘crab-walk’ technology and has 1,000bhp
New Denza Z9GT - front

Denza Z9GT features ‘crab-walk’ technology and has 1,000bhp

BYD’s Denza sub-brand will take on the premium market with an all-electric shooting brake
News
23 Aug 2024
Audi Q5 Sportback will return for third-generation SUV
2025 Audi Q5 Sportback - front 3/4

Audi Q5 Sportback will return for third-generation SUV

The coupe-SUV bodystyle of the new Q5 has been spotted testing for the first time
News
23 Aug 2024
Mercedes GLS gearing up for yet another facelift
Mercedes GLS facelift - front 3/4

Mercedes GLS gearing up for yet another facelift

Mercedes’ luxury range-topping SUV is getting another refresh for 2025
News
23 Aug 2024
New Ford Puma facelift 2024 review: best-selling SUV gets welcome upgrades
Facelifted Ford Puma being driven in the UK - front tracking

New Ford Puma facelift 2024 review: best-selling SUV gets welcome upgrades

The Ford Puma SUV gets a subtle new look and better in-car tech as part of a 2024 facelift
Road tests
23 Aug 2024
Rimac single-seater will be quicker than a Formula One car
Rimac Nevera EV hypercar - Dynamic front 3/4

Rimac single-seater will be quicker than a Formula One car

The Croatian firm has set out to make the fastest track car in the world
News
22 Aug 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Volkswagen T-Roc review
VW T-Roc - main image

Volkswagen T-Roc review

The Volkswagen T-Roc is practical, good to drive, and has a much-improved cabin. It can be pricey, though
In-depth reviews
21 Aug 2024
DS almost ready to launch new all-electric coupe SUV
DS flagship SUV (camouflaged test car) - front

DS almost ready to launch new all-electric coupe SUV

The unnamed EV will get the latest technology from parent company Stellantis
News
21 Aug 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is a zero-emission estate for £264 a month
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer - front

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is a zero-emission estate for £264 a month

The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is a spacious electric estate that scores well on refinement – making it our Deal of the Day for 20 August
News
20 Aug 2024
All-new MG ZS Hybrid teased ahead of 28 August reveal
New MG ZS Hybrid teaser - front static

All-new MG ZS Hybrid teased ahead of 28 August reveal

MG’s popular small SUV will come with hybrid power with the all-electric ZS EV set to be replaced by a new model
News
20 Aug 2024
Pininfarina Battista B95 Gotham: a £4m hypercar tribute to Bruce Wayne and Batman
Pininfarina Battista B95 Gotham - front static

Pininfarina Battista B95 Gotham: a £4m hypercar tribute to Bruce Wayne and Batman

Four Pininfarina Battistas have now received the Batman treatment and were unveiled at Monterey Car Week
News
20 Aug 2024
Car Deal of the Day: new-look Renault Captur is yours for just £166 per month
Renault Captur facelift - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: new-look Renault Captur is yours for just £166 per month

Renault’s do-it-all Captur is a small SUV for city car money - making it our Car Deal of the Day for Monday 19 August
News
19 Aug 2024
New Mercedes V-Class now on sale alongside £88k Marco Polo camper
New 2024 Mercedes V-Class - front

New Mercedes V-Class now on sale alongside £88k Marco Polo camper

Prices and specs announced for Merc’s luxury people carrier, as well as Volkswagen-rivalling campervan
News
19 Aug 2024
2025 Vauxhall Mokka to receive minor updates inside and out
New facelifted Vauxhall Mokka spy shot - front grille

2025 Vauxhall Mokka to receive minor updates inside and out

Popular small SUV will be tweaked to align with Vauxhall’s fresher offerings
News
19 Aug 2024
New Aston Martin Valhalla: testing extends to the Nurburgring
New Aston Martin Valhalla AMR testing on track - front cornering

New Aston Martin Valhalla: testing extends to the Nurburgring

British sports car-marker’s upcoming mid-engined supercar is packed with F1 technology
News
19 Aug 2024
Volkswagen Tiguan review
Volkswagen Tiguan - main image

Volkswagen Tiguan review

While the latest Volkswagen Tiguan isn’t the best SUV in its class to drive, it’s still highly practical and refined
In-depth reviews
13 Aug 2024
All-electric Toyota Proace Verso and Proace City Verso get a new faces for 2024 
Toyota proace verso and City Verso

All-electric Toyota Proace Verso and Proace City Verso get a new faces for 2024 

The larger Proace Verso now comes with a 75kWh to bump range up to 214 miles
News
9 Aug 2024
New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe leaked: sleek 1 Series cousin returns
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe leaked - front 3/4

New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe leaked: sleek 1 Series cousin returns

The 2 Series Gran Coupe will gain the same visual tweaks as the facelifted BMW 1 Series
News
9 Aug 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
BYD Seal in line for interior and tech updates just a year after launch
New updated BYD Seal - exterior front static

BYD Seal in line for interior and tech updates just a year after launch

The all-electric Seal could use the latest semi-autonomous driving assistance tech from BYD
News
9 Aug 2024
Singer’s Porsche 911 Turbo restomod gains Slantnose, Targa and Cabriolet options
Singer 911 Turbo restomod Slantnose, Targa and Cabriolet - front 3/4

Singer’s Porsche 911 Turbo restomod gains Slantnose, Targa and Cabriolet options

The retro lines of the 930 Turbo have been given new life in Singer’s latest work
News
9 Aug 2024
New Porsche 911 GT3 RS facelift looks at home on the Nurburgring
Porsche 911 GT3 RS facelift - front 3/4

New Porsche 911 GT3 RS facelift looks at home on the Nurburgring

Porsche’s most track-orientated 911 has been caught testing ahead of its mid-life update
News
8 Aug 2024
New Jaecoo J5 SUV teased in official sketch for the first time
Jaecoo J5

New Jaecoo J5 SUV teased in official sketch for the first time

Jaecoo’s latest offering will target the premium small SUV sector
News
7 Aug 2024
Vauxhall Astra Griffin knocks £2,800 off electric hatchback’s price
Vauxhall Astra Griffin - front

Vauxhall Astra Griffin knocks £2,800 off electric hatchback’s price

The Vauxhall Astra Griffin special edition is the new entry-point to the hatchback's range, and is available with petrol or electric powertrains
News
7 Aug 2024
Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two adds more customisation for 626bhp super-SUV
Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two - front

Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two adds more customisation for 626bhp super-SUV

The most powerful Range Rover ever gets fresh interior and exterior options
News
6 Aug 2024
First look inside the Aehra Impeto as VIP SUV’s name is released
Aehra Impeto SUV - front static

First look inside the Aehra Impeto as VIP SUV’s name is released

The US-Italian brand will bring plenty of style to the all-electric luxury coupe-SUV segment
News
5 Aug 2024
Newly named Aehra Estasi wants to be the ultimate luxury electric saloon
Aehra Estasi saloon - front tracking

Newly named Aehra Estasi wants to be the ultimate luxury electric saloon

The name has been revealed for Aehra’s eye-catching luxury EV
News
5 Aug 2024
Plug pulled on first plug-in Ferrari: SF90 hybrid killed off
Ferrari SF90 Spider - front cornering

Plug pulled on first plug-in Ferrari: SF90 hybrid killed off

ICE cars are back on top in the Maranello sales charts so far in 2024
News
5 Aug 2024
The last glimmer of hope for Mitsubishi’s UK return has faded, but we’d still like it back
Opinion - Mitsubishi

The last glimmer of hope for Mitsubishi’s UK return has faded, but we’d still like it back

Mitsubishi has confirmed that its recent tie-up with Honda and Nissan won’t result in a UK comeback
Opinion
5 Aug 2024