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

New Renault Clio set for Munich show debut ahead of 2026 launch

New supermini will introduce radical new look and is set to offer hybrid power exclusively

New Renault Clio set for Munich show debut ahead of 2026 launch
News

Vauxhall reinvents GSe performance brand with hot 276bhp Mokka

Mokka Electric gets nearly twice as much power as standard, plus a limited-slip 'diff

Vauxhall reinvents GSe performance brand with hot 276bhp Mokka
News

Volvo design chief steps down after two years

Jeremy Offer resigns; Volvo automotive design boss Nick Gronenthal named his interim replacement

Volvo design chief steps down after two years
News

MG discounts EVs by £1500 after Electric Car Grant 'stopped' orders

Uncertainty over which cars qualify for new government grant has prompted buyers to hold off

MG discounts EVs by £1500 after Electric Car Grant 'stopped' orders
News

Rivian to open UK base for autonomous vehicle development

New division will allow American EV firm to tap UK’s talent in software and artificial intelligence

Rivian to open UK base for autonomous vehicle development
News

BMW M straight six and V8 to survive Euro 7 emissions rules

Performance arm’s signature engines will suffer no loss in performance, claims M’s boss

BMW M straight six and V8 to survive Euro 7 emissions rules
nissan evolvead nissan leaf on rural road in uk
Nissan previously tested a fleet of modified Leafs in the UK, covering 16,000 miles in eight years
News

Government asks for feedback on autonomous taxi rollout

New consultation will form basis of a pilot scheme allowing taxi firms to run unsupervised AVs

Government asks for feedback on autonomous taxi rollout
MG 4 2025 front quarter
Second-generation MG 4 was recently revealed in China
News

New MG 4: Larger, sleeker Mk2 hatchback set for Europe

Second-generation EV already on sale in China, but design now filed with European legislators

New MG 4: Larger, sleeker Mk2 hatchback set for Europe
News

Subaru E-Outback: New name for 375bhp 4x4 estate in Europe

Off-road-ready wagon swaps Trailseeker for a more familiar name as it heads to UK showrooms

Subaru E-Outback: New name for 375bhp 4x4 estate in Europe
News

Chery Tiggo 7 SUV due this summer priced from £24,995

Brand announces its complete launch line-up; Tiggo 7 gets petrol and PHEV options

Chery Tiggo 7 SUV due this summer priced from £24,995
News

Lotus creative chief: design 'must remain' in UK

UK expertise and brand identity will be instrumental in Lotus's future success, says Ben Payne

Lotus creative chief: design 'must remain' in UK

Pages