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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

Car Deal of the Day: £249 a month with a tiny deposit for new MG3 Hybrid
MG3 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: £249 a month with a tiny deposit for new MG3 Hybrid

There are bargains to be had on the all-new MG3 Hybrid - with a low deposit and low monthly payments, this is our Car Deal of the Day for 15 May
News
15 May 2024
New Polestar 3: specs, details and cheaper single-motor version
Polestar 3 - front

New Polestar 3: specs, details and cheaper single-motor version

The upcoming all-electric sporty SUV is already sold out for 2024 but the new model adds extra affordability.
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15 May 2024
New 2024 Vauxhall Frontera: extra specs reveal 248-mile EV range
Vauxhall Frontera - front

New 2024 Vauxhall Frontera: extra specs reveal 248-mile EV range

Vauxhall has also confirmed the small SUV will get a seven-seat option in due course
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14 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Ariya is a bargain EV SUV at £260 a month
Nissan Ariya - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Nissan Ariya is a bargain EV SUV at £260 a month

A spacious SUV with a quality cabin - the Nissan Ariya is our Deal of the Day for 11 May
News
11 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland Ultimate is a fully-loaded SUV at just £172 a month
Vauxhall Grandland - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland Ultimate is a fully-loaded SUV at just £172 a month

Vauxhall’s Grandland SUV is a solid family car and at this bargain price it’s our Deal of the Day for 10 May
News
10 May 2024
Skywell BE11 takes aim at the premium all-electric SUV market
Skywell BE11 front 3/4

Skywell BE11 takes aim at the premium all-electric SUV market

Chinese firm Skywell will begin UK sales later this year
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10 May 2024
Caterham Seven 485 Final Edition marks the end of an era
Caterham Seven 485 Final Edition

Caterham Seven 485 Final Edition marks the end of an era

The 485 is the fastest car Caterham has built for Europe
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10 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Suzuki Vitara is a frugal family SUV for £177 a month
Suzuki Vitara 1.5 Hybrid SZ5 - main image

Car Deal of the Day: Suzuki Vitara is a frugal family SUV for £177 a month

The Vitara is a worthy SUV competitor and at this price it's hard to ignore - making it our Deal of the Day for 9 May
News
9 May 2024
New Skoda Octavia facelift kicks off at under £27k and you can order now
Skoda Octavia facelift - front

New Skoda Octavia facelift kicks off at under £27k and you can order now

Skoda’s award-winning best-seller is given fresh technology and a more powerful vRS model
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9 May 2024
Driving in Europe: what are the rules for UK motorists?
EU / UK Flags

Driving in Europe: what are the rules for UK motorists?

Everything you need to know about taking your car to Europe
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9 May 2024
New Genesis X Dog is a paw-sitively luxurious concept car for canines
Genesis GV70 X Dog concept

New Genesis X Dog is a paw-sitively luxurious concept car for canines

It’s modelled on a GV70 and comes with a suite of accessories to make your four-legged friend more comfortable
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9 May 2024
Bentley W12 engine is dead: long live the ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ powertrain
New Bentley 'Ultra Performance Hybrid' engine

Bentley W12 engine is dead: long live the ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ powertrain

The iconic 12-cylinder Bentley engine bids farewell after 21 years of service
News
8 May 2024
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Car Deal of the Day: Jaguar I-Pace is a royal-approved stunner at £393 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Jaguar I-Pace is a royal-approved stunner at £393 a month

The Jaguar I-Pace remains an eye-catching EV with premium appeal and this tempting lease makes it our Deal of the Day for 8 May
News
8 May 2024
New 2024 BMW iX facelift sticks with controversial design
BMW iX facelift spy shot - Front 3/4

New 2024 BMW iX facelift sticks with controversial design

The luxury electric SUV sector is about to get even more competitive thanks to an revised iX
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8 May 2024
Lamborghini 400 GT review: back to the 1960s in a £1m V12
Lamborghini 400 GT - front tracking

Lamborghini 400 GT review: back to the 1960s in a £1m V12

As motoring first efforts go, the 400 GT is up there with the very best
Road tests
8 May 2024
Updated Land Rover Defender gets a sprinkling of extra luxury and a new diesel engine
Land Rover Defender 110 Sedona Edition - front

Updated Land Rover Defender gets a sprinkling of extra luxury and a new diesel engine

The Defender now comes with a higher level of comfort according to Land Rover
News
7 May 2024
New Renault Rafale: prices confirmed as Renault SUV range grows again
Renault Rafale - front

New Renault Rafale: prices confirmed as Renault SUV range grows again

Renault’s growing range of models now includes the Rafale SUV
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7 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia Estate has bundles of space for £211 a month
Skoda Octavia Estate - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia Estate has bundles of space for £211 a month

The award-winning Octavia is a great family car and at this price it’s worthy of Deal of the Day status for 7 May
News
7 May 2024
2024 BMW M5: our best look yet at new plug-in hybrid super-saloon
M5 spy shot - front 3/4 on the road

2024 BMW M5: our best look yet at new plug-in hybrid super-saloon

BMW’s upcoming M5 will see the return of the estate and an abundance of new technology
News
7 May 2024
BMW 5 Series Touring gets some M5 flavour with new M Performance Parts
BMW 5 Series Touring front 3/4 with M Performance Parts

BMW 5 Series Touring gets some M5 flavour with new M Performance Parts

If you can’t wait for the M5 then BMW’s M Performance Parts might keep you happy for know
News
7 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Mokka Electric is a family-friendly EV for £191 a month
Vauxhall Mokka - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Mokka Electric is a family-friendly EV for £191 a month

Vauxhall’s Mokka Electric is a great all-round electric SUV - making it our Deal of the Day for 4 May
News
4 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Mazda MX-30 EV is a cool, quirky electric runabout for £222 a month
Mazda MX-30 - front

Car Deal of the Day: Mazda MX-30 EV is a cool, quirky electric runabout for £222 a month

The MX-30 feels like a premium offering and at this price, it qualifies as our Deal of the Day for 1 May
News
1 May 2024
New Toyota Hilux GR Sport II: £50,000 sports truck hits UK streets
Toyota Hilux GR Sport II - front

New Toyota Hilux GR Sport II: £50,000 sports truck hits UK streets

Practicality and a sporty appeal are both on the agenda for Toyota’s new pick up truck
News
1 May 2024
New Kia Picanto facelift is still one of the cheapest cars on sale
Kia Picanto facelift - front

New Kia Picanto facelift is still one of the cheapest cars on sale

The facelifted Kia Picanto city car has arrived and starts at £15,595
News
1 May 2024
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“You don’t need a Land Rover to have some off-road fun”
Opinion - You don’t need a Land Rover to have some off-road fun

“You don’t need a Land Rover to have some off-road fun”

Senior News Reporter Alastair Crooks has got the off-road bug and wonders what’s stopping people from exploring the limits of their SUVs
Opinion
1 May 2024
New Aston Martin Vanquish to be powered by a mighty 824bhp V12
Aston Martin V12 twin turbo

New Aston Martin Vanquish to be powered by a mighty 824bhp V12

Aston Martin's new flagship grand tourer will be the “dawn of a new V12 era” according to its maker
News
1 May 2024
New Genesis G80 EV Magma is an all-electric super-saloon
Two Genesis G80s on display at Beijing Motor Show

New Genesis G80 EV Magma is an all-electric super-saloon

It’s just a concept for now, but the EV Magma previews the latest addition to Genesis’ hot Magma program
News
26 Apr 2024
Cupra Ateca review
Cupra Ateca front corner right

Cupra Ateca review

The Cupra Ateca comes with plenty of performance and lots of kit, although many of its rivals feel fresher now
In-depth reviews
26 Apr 2024
Beijing Motor Show 2024: all the key cars and why they matter
Geneva Motor Show

Beijing Motor Show 2024: all the key cars and why they matter

The word’s major car manufacturers wheeled out their latest cars in China this month
News
26 Apr 2024
New Mercedes V-Class luxury MPV spied using future EV tech
Electric Mercedes V-Class - front

New Mercedes V-Class luxury MPV spied using future EV tech

The next all-electric V-Class from Mercedes will utilise a bespoke EV architecture
News
26 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 3008 is fresh on the SUV scene for £245 a month
Peugeot E-3008 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Peugeot 3008 is fresh on the SUV scene for £245 a month

The latest 3008 is a marked improvement on the old one and at under £250 a month, it’s our Deal of the Day for 26 April
News
26 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a top class family EV for £215 a month
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Namsan Edition - front

Car Deal of the Day: Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a top class family EV for £215 a month

The award-winning Ioniq 5 as a do-it-all electric car and our Deal of the Day for 25 April
News
25 Apr 2024
New Lotus Evija X revealed: 2,011bhp track monster meets the Nurburgring
Lotus Evija X - front cornering

New Lotus Evija X revealed: 2,011bhp track monster meets the Nurburgring

The Evija X has set the third-fastest time ever around the Nurburgring
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25 Apr 2024
Deuce! New Renault 5 Roland-Garros looks just like the 2023 concept car
Renault 5 Roland Garros - front

Deuce! New Renault 5 Roland-Garros looks just like the 2023 concept car

The Renault 5 Roland-Garros ‘special series’ features a few details that pay homage to the French Open tennis venue
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25 Apr 2024