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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 Ferrari electric car seen out and about again as full reveal draws closer
Ferrari EV Mule - front end

New Ferrari electric car seen out and about again as full reveal draws closer

Four-door practicality mixed with supercar power for Ferrari’s first EV
News
19 Feb 2025
Toyota's hydrogen commitment reinforced by new mk3 fuel-cell system announcement
Toyota 3rd-generation hydrogen fuel cell

Toyota's hydrogen commitment reinforced by new mk3 fuel-cell system announcement

A successor to the Mirai hasn’t been revealed
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17 Feb 2025
New Farizon SV electric van is ready to take on the mighty Ford Transit
Farizon SV - front line-up

New Farizon SV electric van is ready to take on the mighty Ford Transit

The SV is an all-electric van capable of 247 miles on a charge
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17 Feb 2025
BMW M5 spy shots reveal 5 Series is getting Neue Klasse styling
BMW M5 facelift - front 3/4

BMW M5 spy shots reveal 5 Series is getting Neue Klasse styling

M5 spies show design overhaul for popular saloon - despite having gone on sale just last year
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14 Feb 2025
Next-generation Mercedes GLB caught on test again
Mercedes GLB spy shot - dynamic front 3/4

Next-generation Mercedes GLB caught on test again

MMA platform signals petrol and electric power on the way for Mercedes’ boxy SUV
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14 Feb 2025
New Jeep Recon 4xe all-electric off-roader on track for 2025 launch
Jeep Recon preprod - front

New Jeep Recon 4xe all-electric off-roader on track for 2025 launch

Removable doors and serious off-road potential are in-store for Jeep’s new EV
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13 Feb 2025
Tesla Model Y to get faster AND more sensible! 7-seat and Performance versions due
Tesla Model Y facelift - front

Tesla Model Y to get faster AND more sensible! 7-seat and Performance versions due

More power and practicality on the way for updated Model Y later this year
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13 Feb 2025

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KGM agrees deal to develop ‘crucial’ hydrogen engine
SsangYong Musso Saracen - front tracking

KGM agrees deal to develop ‘crucial’ hydrogen engine

Korean company pairs up with French firm for hydrogen powertrain that could be used in a future pick-up
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13 Feb 2025
Honda and Nissan merger collapses
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Honda and Nissan merger collapses

It was hoped the merger would better equip the two firms on future EVs and software-defined vehicles
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13 Feb 2025
Car brand loyalty can save you money
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Car brand loyalty can save you money

Alastair Crooks explains why choosing the same make and model for your next new or used car makes a great deal of sense
Opinion
13 Feb 2025
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New Kia PV5 teaser images tell us it will look very different to its electric van rivals
Kia PV5 teaser - front

New Kia PV5 teaser images tell us it will look very different to its electric van rivals

Latest pictures show the Kia PV5 will bring concept looks to the commercial vans class as it gears up for unveiling this month
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13 Feb 2025
Audi Q4 e-tron 40 is coming to UK as new entry-level version of electric SUV
New Audi Q4 e-tron 40 - front 3/4

Audi Q4 e-tron 40 is coming to UK as new entry-level version of electric SUV

The 40 variant adds a smaller battery to the Q4 e-tron range, and will go on sale here by summer
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12 Feb 2025
Subaru Forester targets Nissan Qashqai with £38,995 starting price
2025 Subaru Forester - dynamic front 3/4

Subaru Forester targets Nissan Qashqai with £38,995 starting price

Subaru’s family-friendly off-roader has returned for 2025 with a new model
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12 Feb 2025
Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: small SUV shows its spacious side
Lexus LBX - front cornering

Lexus LBX Takumi long-term test: small SUV shows its spacious side

Fleetwatch: our Lexus LBX shows off its practicality by swallowing a new engine destined for an Mk3 MR2
Long-term tests
12 Feb 2025
More new Volvo Cross Country electric off-roaders are on the way
Volvo EX30 Cross Country - front cornering

More new Volvo Cross Country electric off-roaders are on the way

An electric Cross Country estate still hangs in the balance though
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12 Feb 2025
All-new 2026 Range Rover Velar spied with ultra-sleek new body
Range Rover Velar EV - front 3/4

All-new 2026 Range Rover Velar spied with ultra-sleek new body

The midsize Porsche Macan EV rival looks to be taking a very different approach to design
News
11 Feb 2025
Mercedes C-Class Estate review
Mercedes C-Class Estate - main image

Mercedes C-Class Estate review

The C-Class Estate is a great, albeit expensive option in the family estate genre with a strong selection of powertrains
In-depth reviews
11 Feb 2025
Mercedes-AMG SL Golden Coast edition features ‘exceptional luxury and performance’
Mercedes-AMG SL Golden Coast - front

Mercedes-AMG SL Golden Coast edition features ‘exceptional luxury and performance’

The Golden Coast lives up to its name with plenty of gold touches
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11 Feb 2025
Porsche 911 Cabriolet review
Porsche 911 Cabriolet - main image

Porsche 911 Cabriolet review

Chopping the roof off successfully adds another dimension to the Porsche 911 Cabriolet experience
In-depth reviews
10 Feb 2025
New Volvo EX30 Cross Country: specs and exclusive review of new electric off-roader
Volvo EX30 Cross Country - front

New Volvo EX30 Cross Country: specs and exclusive review of new electric off-roader

The Volvo EX30 Cross Country is based on the range-topping Twin Motor Ultra, and we've driven it
News
10 Feb 2025
New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials
Renault Trafic - front

New Renault Trafic unveiled alongside Goelette and Estafette commercials

All three Renault vans will be all-electric - sitting on a new architecture developed by Ampere
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10 Feb 2025
Ferrari 296 Versione Speciale could add some F80-inspired tweaks
Ferrari 296 Versione Speciale - front 3/4

Ferrari 296 Versione Speciale could add some F80-inspired tweaks

The updated ‘baby’ Ferrari supercar has the Lamborghini Tememario in its sights
News
7 Feb 2025
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Citroen C3 Aircross review
Citroen C3 Aircross - front

Citroen C3 Aircross review

As a family-friendly small SUV, the Citroen C3 Aircross covers most bases while being kind to your bank account
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6 Feb 2025
The Dacia Bigster has landed! First look at sub-£25k SUV on UK roads
Dacia Bigster on the road - front tracking

The Dacia Bigster has landed! First look at sub-£25k SUV on UK roads

In true Dacia style the Bigster will undercut many similarly sized family SUVs
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5 Feb 2025
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New Caselani Type-Ami - front 3/4 studio

Citroen Ami gains new retro appeal thanks to ‘Type-Ami’ Caselani conversion

The tiny electric quadricycle gets a history lesson courtesy of Italian company
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4 Feb 2025
New Mercedes C-Class facelift to fight the BMW 3 Series with concept-car styling
Mercedes C-Class Estate Facelift - front 3/4

New Mercedes C-Class facelift to fight the BMW 3 Series with concept-car styling

Mercedes looks to maintain its foothold in the compact executive saloon and estate segments
News
4 Feb 2025
New Audi RS 5 on the way in 2025 with super-aggressive looks
Audi RS5 Avant - static front 3/4

New Audi RS 5 on the way in 2025 with super-aggressive looks

Audi’s penchant for fast estates will continue with the new RS 5
News
4 Feb 2025
Tesla plans for ‘more affordable models’ before summer
Tesla logo badge

Tesla plans for ‘more affordable models’ before summer

New vehicles are set to use Tesla’s next-generation platform with production line costs cut
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3 Feb 2025
New Citroen C3 Aircross aims to shake up the small SUV market with £20,240 price tag
Citroen C3 Aircross - front and rear static

New Citroen C3 Aircross aims to shake up the small SUV market with £20,240 price tag

Just two trim levels are offered alongside three powertrain options
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3 Feb 2025
New £723,000 Jannarelly sports car has more than a whiff of Ferrari 360 about it
Jannarelly Ælla-60 - front 3/4

New £723,000 Jannarelly sports car has more than a whiff of Ferrari 360 about it

The Ælla-60 features a 480bhp V8 and underpinnings borrowed from 25-year-old Ferrari
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31 Jan 2025
GWM set to expand UK range with three new ‘model lines’
GWM Ora 03 GT - front tracking

GWM set to expand UK range with three new ‘model lines’

SUVs and a pick-up could be on the way here as Chinese giant considers adding more cars to UK line-up
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31 Jan 2025
New GWM Ora 03 GT 2025 review: sporty EV supermini isn't as cheap as we'd hope
GWM Ora 03 GT - front tracking cornering

New GWM Ora 03 GT 2025 review: sporty EV supermini isn't as cheap as we'd hope

The flagship GWM Ora 03 GT has been given a sporty new look and more equipment, but the changes are purely cosmetic
Road tests
31 Jan 2025
New Morgan flagship is coming…but don’t worry, it’ll have the same old classic looks
Morgan's new flagship car undergoing testing - front

New Morgan flagship is coming…but don’t worry, it’ll have the same old classic looks

Due to arrive in Spring, British firm’s new model will continue to use a BMW-derived straight-six engine
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30 Jan 2025
2027 BMW M3: latest on electric and petrol versions of iconic performance car
2028 BMW M3 render (watermarked)

2027 BMW M3: latest on electric and petrol versions of iconic performance car

More power, a new design and a revolutionary interior in store for next M3
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27 Jan 2025