Charlie Martin

Charlie Martin Autocar
Title: Staff Writer

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 out getting sunburnt in his Mk4 Mazda MX-5, he's usually found typing up a story for the magazine or Autocar website. 

He’s also a regular contributor to Autocar’s social media channels, providing video content for its Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook and X channels.

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 the steering feels wired directly into your brain. It helps that it’s great at all the mundane day-to-day stuff too: I averaged 44mpg on the motorway driving one from London to Spa-Francorchamps and back! 

I don’t mind its lack of a manual gearbox, either. The auto is plenty snappy and meant that it was one of very few cars I’ve driven that didn’t frustrate me driving the length of London’s perma-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? In recent years it looked dead set that battery-electric cars would be the only option that we'd be offered in a couple of years’ time. However, multiple manufacturers have since thrown their weight behind hybrids, so there might be life in the old internal-combustion engine yet.

I reckon EVs will still eventually win over most buyers as prices fall and charging infrastructure improves, 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.

News

Lamborghini plots 'crazier' specials following Huracan Sterrato

"We don't only want to upgrade, we want to surprise," the brand's sales and marketing boss tells Autocar

Lamborghini plots 'crazier' specials following Huracan Sterrato
News

Nissan Juke named Britain's least reliable new car

Annual owner survey finds three in five who suffered faults with their Juke had to pay more than £1500 for repairs

Nissan Juke named Britain's least reliable new car
News

Toyota GR Yaris returns to UK – and it's manual-only

New Aero Performance model brings more aggressive styling to four-wheel-drive hot hatch for £49k

Toyota GR Yaris returns to UK – and it's manual-only
News

New Kia K4 lands in UK showrooms priced from £26k

Indirect Ceed replacement brings up to 178bhp and a manual gearbox option

New Kia K4 lands in UK showrooms priced from £26k
News

Honda to reveal new 0 SUV and baby EV at Tokyo motor show

Brand will preview a radical yet accessible electric SUV alongside a development of the Super EV concept

Honda to reveal new 0 SUV and baby EV at Tokyo motor show
News

New Porsche Cayenne fitted with brand's biggest screens yet

Dashboard hosts three infotainment screens including a 14.9in display for passengers and a curved central unit

New Porsche Cayenne fitted with brand's biggest screens yet
News

Jeep discounts Avenger EV by £3750 in response to ECG

Avenger has yet to qualify for the Electric Car Grant but Jeep has matched its maximum discount for a short period

Jeep discounts Avenger EV by £3750 in response to ECG
News

New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross revealed as rebadged Scenic

Electric crossover is a key part of the brand’s renewed line-up – and its mooted return to the UK

New Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross revealed as rebadged Scenic
News

Dacia Duster gains a hybrid van option for £23k

New Duster Cargo offers choice of mild-hybrid or full-hybrid power; deliveries begin this winter

Dacia Duster gains a hybrid van option for £23k
News

Renault 4 gains van variant with 254-mile range

Retro electric crossover swaps rear seats for a load tray; priced from equivalent of £25k

Renault 4 gains van variant with 254-mile range
News

New Geely EX5 lands in UK as £32k Skoda Enyaq rival

Chinese brand kicks off its UK market launch with a 267-mile, 215bhp electric crossover

New Geely EX5 lands in UK as £32k Skoda Enyaq rival

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