John started in journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. But after a decade covering the antics of Colin McRae and Richard Burns in the World Rally Championship, and a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing cars and breaking news on forthcoming products. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

John joined Auto Express in 2016 and since then he’s been responsible for managing the content within Auto Express, ensuring that sharply written news stories and the right reviews fill its pages and website. He also assists with Carbuyer.co.uk and his self-professed love of technology has helped him to move easily into the realm of electric cars as the industry moves inexorably in that direction.

John says…

“It’s quite alarming to think I’ve been writing about the cars we all buy and drive for nearly two decades now, but in truth, there’s never been a more interesting, exciting time to do it. Car buyers are keen to find clarification on a host of issues as many of them prepare to make the jump to electrified vehicles – be they EV or hybrid – and I’m proud of how the teams work at Auto Express and Carbuyer to reflect not only changes within the industry, but also the evolution of what its customers need to know. I frequently get tapped up by friends and relatives who are after a specific car or want clarification on the nuanced differences between certain finance deals; I always tell them that I’m happy to help, just as I love assisting anyone who reads our websites.”

John's main areas of expertise

• New-car news and future products
• Buying advice, including finance deals and leasing
• Technology, with specific focus on the in-car user experience
• Electric vehicles

John McIlroy Q&A

Q: What was your first car? 

A: I learned to drive in my mother’s FIAT Uno, and then mistreated a variety of subsequent Unos and Puntos in the back lanes of Northern Ireland. My first car as a journalist was a normally aspirated diesel Peugeot 306 – a fantastic car when I had to venture into the depths of Wales every other weekend to attend rallies. I’ve made a single classic-car purchase over the years: a Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. It was a late example in virtually standard condition and while it had its share of niggles, I felt very proud to be its custodian for a few years.

Q: What is your dream car? 

A: The Sunbeam Lotus was the car I’d yearned for since I was a boy, so in a way I’ve already scratched that particular itch. I do have a hankering, though, for some form of Alpina – and since money is no object here, I’ll combine the Buchloe brand’s engineering skills with one of my all-time favourite BMWs, the 8 Series. So I’d love a B12 5.7 coupé, please – V12 power, Alpina’s chassis wizardry, the chunky original 8 Series shape and a manual gearbox. And, ideally, modern reliability.

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

A: I wish there were enough traffic police to accurately police the amount of traffic that’s on our roads. Driving standards are about much more than speed cameras.

Social media and e-mail

• E-mail: john_mcilroy@autovia.co.uk
• LinkedIn: John McIlroy