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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 MG Cyberster all-electric roadster: full specs and £55k price tag
MG Cyberster front 3/4

New MG Cyberster all-electric roadster: full specs and £55k price tag

The Cyberster is now available to order with first deliveries expected in August
News
25 Apr 2024
New Volkswagen ID. Code concept is an insight into the brand's EV future
Volkswagen ID Code - front

New Volkswagen ID. Code concept is an insight into the brand's EV future

Aimed at ‘younger customers’, the ID. Code launches a new design and technology era according to VW
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25 Apr 2024
New Skoda Vision Gran Turismo is the 1,071bhp hypercar nobody expected
Skoda Vision Gran Turismo - front

New Skoda Vision Gran Turismo is the 1,071bhp hypercar nobody expected

It’s destined for the Gran Turismo video game series but a Skoda hypercar is still a turn up for the books
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25 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: sporty SEAT Ibiza supermini for just £169 a month
SEAT Ibiza facelift - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: sporty SEAT Ibiza supermini for just £169 a month

Celebrate the Ibiza’s 40th birthday with our Deal of the Day for 24 April
News
24 Apr 2024
New Audi Q8 plug-in hybrid gets a bigger battery and more power
Audi Q8 55 TFSI e plug-in

New Audi Q8 plug-in hybrid gets a bigger battery and more power

The 55 TFSI e plug-in powertrain has returned to the range-topping Q8’s line up
News
24 Apr 2024
New Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology: luxury off-roader gets electric power
Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology - front

New Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology: luxury off-roader gets electric power

All-electric version keeps iconic G-Class profile but gains the latest Mercedes EV technology
News
24 Apr 2024
New Tesla Model 3 Performance arrives with sub 3-second 0-60mph time 
Tesla Model 3 Performance tracking

New Tesla Model 3 Performance arrives with sub 3-second 0-60mph time 

The range-topping Performance model comes back to Tesla’s Model 3 range
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23 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Toyota Aygo X is a sharp looking little city car for £191 a month
Toyota Aygo X Undercover - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Toyota Aygo X is a sharp looking little city car for £191 a month

The Toyota Aygo X is well-equipped and fun to drive - making it our Car Deal of the Day for Tuesday 23 April
News
23 Apr 2024
New Audi Q7 facelift brings back plug-in hybrid power
Updated Audi Q7 in Silver

New Audi Q7 facelift brings back plug-in hybrid power

Fresh technology has been added to Audi’s largest SUV for 2024
News
23 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: ever-popular Vauxhall Corsa for only £167 a month
Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Turbo GS front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: ever-popular Vauxhall Corsa for only £167 a month

The Vauxhall Corsa might be a supermini, but it’s spacious and drives well - making it our Deal of the Day for 22 April
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22 Apr 2024
Skoda Fabia goes for bigger slice of supermini sales with 2024 updates
Skoda fabia front 3/4

Skoda Fabia goes for bigger slice of supermini sales with 2024 updates

Skoda has given its Fabia updated powertrains and equipment
News
22 Apr 2024
Skoda Karoq SUV updated with power gains for 2024
2024 Skoda Karoq

Skoda Karoq SUV updated with power gains for 2024

The Karoq’s trim level structure remains the same as before, but with more equipment as standard
News
22 Apr 2024
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New MG EXE181 concept is a wild tribute to a land speed record holder
New MG EXE181 concept - Front 3/4 driving on salt flats

New MG EXE181 concept is a wild tribute to a land speed record holder

MG will unveil its new all-electric supercar at the Beijing Motor Show
New Cars
22 Apr 2024
New Subaru Outback Touring X is one of the rarest Subarus ever
Subaru Outback Touring X - front

New Subaru Outback Touring X is one of the rarest Subarus ever

The Outback Touring X features all-wheel drive and ‘robust exterior styling’
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22 Apr 2024
Aston Martin DBX707 gets chassis tweaks to match its stonking 697bhp V8
Aston Martin DBX707 - front

Aston Martin DBX707 gets chassis tweaks to match its stonking 697bhp V8

The Aston Martin DBX707 is updated for 2024 with changes to technology and interior design
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21 Apr 2024
Cupra Born vs Vauxhall Astra Electric 2024 twin test: which is the best electric family hatch?
Vauxhall Astra Electric and Cupra Born - front tracking

Cupra Born vs Vauxhall Astra Electric 2024 twin test: which is the best electric family hatch?

It’s lift off for Vauxhall’s Astra Electric as it looks to be a family-hatch hit. We test it against a Cupra Born
Car group tests
20 Apr 2024
New Vauxhall Mokka Griffin lowers small SUV’s price to £21,555
Vauxhall Mokka Griffin front 3/4

New Vauxhall Mokka Griffin lowers small SUV’s price to £21,555

The Griffin trim level is carried over to the petrol-powered models after appearing on the Mokka Electric
News
18 Apr 2024
New Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition is the cheapest Corsa you can buy
New Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition front 3/4

New Vauxhall Corsa Yes Edition is the cheapest Corsa you can buy

The Corsa Yes Edition lowers Vauxhall’s petrol-powered supermini price to £18,505
News
17 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Explorer in £380 per month early bird offer
Ford Explorer - front action

Car Deal of the Day: new Ford Explorer in £380 per month early bird offer

Ford’s upcoming Explorer is well worth a look if you need an all-electric family SUV - making it our Deal of the Day for Tuesday 16 April
News
16 Apr 2024
New Nissan Micra EV: latest details and exclusive image of the Renault 5’s sister car
Nissan Micra - exclusive image

New Nissan Micra EV: latest details and exclusive image of the Renault 5’s sister car

The Micra will return with all-electric power and feature distinctive styling cues together with a low price
News
16 Apr 2024
First look inside new LEVC L380 luxury electric MPV
LEVC L380 - front 3/4 static

First look inside new LEVC L380 luxury electric MPV

The London taxi-cab company has set it sights on the more premium end of the market
News
16 Apr 2024
New Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer aims to be the do-it-all family EV from £52,240
Volkswagen ID7 Tourer - front

New Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer aims to be the do-it-all family EV from £52,240

Volkswagen has joined the growing all-electric estate genre with an all-electric alternative to the Passat Estate
News
16 Apr 2024
‘Dacia Zen’ seven-year warranty brings added peace of mind
Dacia Duster - tailgate

‘Dacia Zen’ seven-year warranty brings added peace of mind

The value brand’s new warranty is also available on used cars, as well as for existing Dacia customers
News
16 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC offers luxury EV motoring for £327 a month
Mercedes EQC - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Mercedes EQC offers luxury EV motoring for £327 a month

Mercedes’s EQC showed that the German firm was serious about electric cars and it’s our Car Deal of the Day for Monday 15 April
News
15 Apr 2024
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Remember the Alfa Romeo Milano? Now it’s the Alfa Romeo Junior
Alfa Romeo Junior - front static

Remember the Alfa Romeo Milano? Now it’s the Alfa Romeo Junior

Alfa’s CEO says the Junior name is “completely natural” in rapid branding about-turn for new small SUV
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15 Apr 2024
Abarth Classiche 1300 OT is the brand’s mid-engined 75th birthday present to itself
Abarth Classiche 1300 OT render - front

Abarth Classiche 1300 OT is the brand’s mid-engined 75th birthday present to itself

This limited edition Abarth 1300 OT sports car has Alfa Romeo underpinnings
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15 Apr 2024
New Mazda CX-80 range-topper SUV will be revealed on 18 April
New Mazda CX-80 teaser Image

New Mazda CX-80 range-topper SUV will be revealed on 18 April

The seven-seat CX-80 will be the largest Mazda SUV and come with ‘superior technology’
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12 Apr 2024
New Pininfarina Battista Reversario hypercar is the Yin to the Anniversario’s Yang
Pininfarina Battista Reversario and Anniversario

New Pininfarina Battista Reversario hypercar is the Yin to the Anniversario’s Yang

The Reversario is a bespoke commision of the all-electric Battista hypercar
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11 Apr 2024
New 2024 Mercedes EQS cements its position as the electric car range champ
Mercedes EQS - front 3/4 static

New 2024 Mercedes EQS cements its position as the electric car range champ

Up to 511 miles of range and a new face for Mercedes’ all-electric flagship saloon
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10 Apr 2024
New Morgan Plus Four gets ‘design, dynamic and technological enhancements’ for 2024
Morgan Plus Four - front action

New Morgan Plus Four gets ‘design, dynamic and technological enhancements’ for 2024

Morgan says the Plus Four stays true to its 1950 roots but there’s a handy package of updates for the retro roadster
News
10 Apr 2024
Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition SUV aims to combine a lot of luxury with a little sportiness
Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition - front

Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition SUV aims to combine a lot of luxury with a little sportiness

This Bentayga has a feature not seen on a Bentley for 105 years
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9 Apr 2024
Car Deal of the Day: the Renault Clio is a top class supermini for £171 a month
Renault Clio - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: the Renault Clio is a top class supermini for £171 a month

The recently updated Clio remains a superb choice in the supermini segment and looks great value on this lease - making it our Deal of the Day for 9 A…
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9 Apr 2024
BMW seeks help from Rimac on future electric cars
Rimac Nevera - front action

BMW seeks help from Rimac on future electric cars

The long-term partnership will see Rimac Technology expand BMW’s line up of EVs
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9 Apr 2024
New Volkswagen Golf 2024: facelifted hatchback icon on sale from 11 April
Facelifted Volkswagen Golf - front static

New Volkswagen Golf 2024: facelifted hatchback icon on sale from 11 April

The eighth-generation Golf has been given a mid-life refresh - just in time for the model’s 50th birthday
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9 Apr 2024