Crossword Genius

Damn energy-guzzling old banger! (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

execrate

'damn' is the definition.
(execrate can mean to curse or damn)

'energy-guzzling old banger' is the wordplay.
'energy' becomes 'e' (physics symbol as in E=mcr).
'guzzling' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'banger' becomes 'crate' (I have seen 'old banger' mean 'crate' so perhaps 'banger' could also mean 'crate').
'ex'+'crate'='excrate'
'e' going within 'excrate' is 'EXECRATE'.

(Other definitions for execrate that I've seen before include "hate" , "Curse" , "Express great loathing for" , "Utter curses upon, detest greatly" , "Express hatred for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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