As part of Autocar’s news desk, Charlie plays a key role in the title’s coverage of new car launches and industry events.
When he’s not moaning about what’s broken on his Fiat Panda 100HP, he’s usually found typing up a story for the magazine or website. He’s also a regular contributor to Autocar’s social media channels, providing video content for its Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and Twitter pages.
Charlie joined Autocar in July 2022 after a nine-month stint as an apprentice with sister publication What Car?, during which he acquired his gold-standard NCTJ diploma with the Press Association. He previously contributed to The Intercooler and placed second in Hagerty’s 2019 Young Writer competition with a feature on the MG Metro 6R4.
Before training to become a journalist, Charlie studied History at the University of Winchester. He wrote his dissertation on the impact that more affordable cars and motorcycles had on British society in the mid-20th Century.
Charlie is an expert in:
- The UK’s car industry
- Electrification and alternative fuels
- New car news
- Issues for new and young drivers
What was your biggest news story?
Thus far, it was probably covering the death of the Ford Fiesta, but I’m sure my biggest story has yet to be written. Maybe it’ll be the return of the Fiesta in 20 years’ time. Who knows?
What’s the best car you’ve ever driven?
The Alpine A110 GT. It’s become something of a cliché among motoring hacks, but I do think it’s about as close to perfect as anything I’ve driven.
It’s rapid but doesn’t overwhelm, and it’s so light on its feet that the steering felt wired directly into my brain. It helps that it’s great at all the mundane day-to-day stuff too: I averaged 44mpg on the motorway driving it to Spa-Francorchamps and back, and the ride’s smooth enough not to break your immersion in a good drive.
Perhaps controversially, I don’t mind its lack of a manual gearbox. The auto is plenty snappy and meant that it was the only car I’ve driven that didn’t frustrate me driving the width of London’s gridlocked North Circular road.
My only real complaints about it are those inherent to mid-engined sports cars, in that I can’t take all my family out in it, and that I can’t afford one.
What will the car industry look like in 20 years?
Who knows? A year ago it looked dead set that battery-electric cars would be the only option we’re offered in a couple of years’ time. Since, though, multiple manufacturers have thrown their weight behind hydrogen or synthetic fuels. I reckon EVs will still dominate the market because of their early advantage, but I’d like to think there will also be genuinely sustainable ways of keeping petrol-powered sports cars and classics on the road, too.
