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

Volvo V90 production to end as brand eyes future without estates

Brand's largest and most luxurious estate will meet its end in the coming weeks

Volvo V90 production to end as brand eyes future without estates
News

Audi hints at TT inspiration for 'bold' concept car

Brand hints at retro inspiration for new design manifesto, earmarked for debut at Munich motor show

Audi hints at TT inspiration for 'bold' concept car
News

Citroen reinstates combustion engines for Berlingo and Spacetourer

Petrol and diesel options return to the passenger-carrying vans, priced from £23,915 and £41,925

Citroen reinstates combustion engines for Berlingo and Spacetourer
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Skoda Felicia Fun reimagined as electric off-roader

Cult-classic pick-up is reimagined as an electric 4x4 fit for the beach, using Vision 7S concept as a basis

Skoda Felicia Fun reimagined as electric off-roader
News

UK car production rises as home and export markets bounce back

Almost 70,000 cars left UK factories last month and 79% of them were shipped abroad

UK car production rises as home and export markets bounce back
News

New cars 2025: your handy guide to the cars arriving this year

From hybrid hypercars to high-rise hatchbacks, here's every new model that's set to arrive this year

New cars 2025: your handy guide to the cars arriving this year
News

Report: Stellantis axes level-three autonomous driving system

Autodrive would have allowed eyes-off, hands-off driving at up to 37mph – but there is 'limited market demand'

Report: Stellantis axes level-three autonomous driving system
News

Peugeot 308 gets fresh look and EV range boost

More aerodynamic front end and battery updates bring extra range for PHEV and E-308

Peugeot 308 gets fresh look and EV range boost
News

Nissan GT-R production ends after 18 years

‘R35’ GT-R arrived in 2007 as a disruptor before becoming one of the longest-running sports cars yet seen

Nissan GT-R production ends after 18 years
Formula Student racing car on track
This year was the first in which EVs outnumbered ICE racers in the main Formula Student field
News

The student racing series shaping motorsport's future

Formula Student has established itself as a proving ground for motorsport's top engineering talents

The student racing series shaping motorsport's future
News

Audi priming run-out special for five-cylinder RS3

EU emissions regs will force an end to the RS3 as we have known it; new variant to get track-focused package

Audi priming run-out special for five-cylinder RS3

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