Aurel Niculescu
9,200 ARTICLES
There he understood anything is possible if you work hard and passionately strive to follow your imagination. This is how at the age of 16 he managed to fulfill the first dream – flying alone in a glider plane. He was no Tom Cruise, of course, so young adulthood brought him back to reality.
With every kick in the familiar *utt comes a chance to step forward, so a seemingly unimportant ad in one of his favorite automotive magazines brought a dilemma - follow through with the current job or dare to achieve greatness by deploying (previously) unknown literary skills.
Since 2006, he’s been perfecting them at Automondial, Supercar, Cox, Autoshow, Autopro, Auto Motor & Sport, and more magazines plus their online versions. After driving some of the best and worst cars in Europe and around the world, he’s part of the autoevolution team, where he aims to develop his best-ever form.
Gold/Carbon Supercharged Mid-Engine 1957 Chevy “BEAUTY” Blows Our Tri-Five Mind
24 Jan 2022, 13:53 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The modern C8 mid-engine madness has finally reached the vintage-pleasing crowd. Or maybe it's just the start of a new CGI type of classic restomod fever. With a derelict motorsport twist... Much has been said and done about the Tri-Five ...
Tracked Jeep “Vangler” Adapts Classic Forward Control to Winter Discovery Format
24 Jan 2022, 13:12 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Ever since Ford has been taunting us with the 2021 Bronco revival, Jeep has been reeling to find proper SUV answers. Such as the ultimate Wrangler, aka the V8 Hemi-powered Rubicon 392. Some people may or may not agree with the bold assessment...
2023 Caddy Escalade-V Already Gets Subtle Yet Posh Digital Aftermarket Treatments
24 Jan 2022, 11:45 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Just a little while back, all you needed to stand out in a crowd was some bling, a camera, and a Cadillac Escalade. Times have changed. Alas, the luxury automaker does have a supercharged answer. Looking ready to once again be the only darlin...
Dodge Challenger 392 Shaker With Matching CGI Trailer Is Ready for Any Trip
24 Jan 2022, 11:02 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Even though some detractors might say it’s too ancient for its own good, Dodge’s third-generation Challenger proves there is still life in the old dog yet. Both in the real world and across the virtual realm. Surprise, surprise. N...
Sixth-Gen Dodge Viper Takes Digital Mid-Engine Jab at C8 Chevy Corvette Z06
24 Jan 2022, 10:36 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Since General Motors revolutionized “America’s Sports Car,” there has never been a shortage of virtual mid-engine competitors. Now that a new Z06 is also around, virtual artists are doubling down on efforts. We have seen all...
Modern Ford Fairlane Imagines “Cheap V6 Performance” Two-Door via Taurus SHO
24 Jan 2022, 09:52 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Today, there is just one passenger car left in Ford’s North American lineup. Still, both aficionados and virtual artists believe there is always a need for even more (iconic) coupes. America can get just one passenger car nameplate with...
Vin Diesel's Bespoke 1,650-HP 1970 Dodge Charger Throws a Brutal “Tantrum” or Two
24 Jan 2022, 08:53 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / One of the coolest members of the Mopar family, Dodge’s Charger, is a revered legend among muscle cars. Especially in vintage form. And even better when it’s part of the customization culture. Designed by Sean Smith and built to a...
Extreme 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Will Finally Break Cover a Little Later Today
24 Jan 2022, 07:53 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Just a few days ago, we learned that both Ford’s Maverick and Bronco unsurprisingly earned the top North American Truck and Utility of the Year accolades. Now it’s time for more “Built Wild.” In Blue Oval’s own w...
Stock 2021 Ford Bronco V6 Drags VelociRaptor 400, They're Bus Lengths Apart
24 Jan 2022, 07:21 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Now that it’s winter in most parts of the Northern hemisphere, it is obvious that sports and muscle cars are even less in demand. But that does not mean one Texas-based tuner is also in hibernation. Just to show everyone that Hennessey ...
Frankly, It'll Be No Surprise If Nissan's Z Becomes Most Hyped Enthusiast Car of 2022
23 Jan 2022, 11:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Slowly, but steadily, there is a cool passenger car that’s about to embark on a journey of incredible hype. Everything starts in Japan, of course, since we are dealing with the nimble 2023 Nissan Z. Generally speaking, EVs might be taki...
Gunmetal Jeep Gladiator RS Edition Rides Lifted on Forgiato Terra 24s Like a Pro
23 Jan 2022, 09:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Does anyone think that a custom, lifted Jeep Gladiator truck rides four-inch (10.6 cm) lifted like a pro in front of the State Farm Arena by coincidence? Especially on 24-inch off-road Forgiato Terra wheels. Just a look inside the bed that ha...
Non-Existent “Rennmeister” Chevy Corvair K Rewrites 50 Years of Motorsport History
23 Jan 2022, 08:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Motorsport aficionados know very well that some racing sponsorships are easily forgettable. Others, on the contrary, orange-stare you right in the retina and never consider dropping off your brain matter. Well, we might have exaggerated just...
Tesla Remains Most Hyped EV Brand, Apple Car Hot on Its Tail, Says Google Data
22 Jan 2022, 11:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Interestingly, while some Asian brands are already gaining speed across the electric realm, a couple of tech-heavy American companies take Google’s EV icing on the cake. And it seems the trend won’t change soon. Once Tesla introdu...
Group B-Inspired Widebody VW Golf GTI Looks Digitally Vintage and Crazy Rally Fast
22 Jan 2022, 09:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Just recently, Volkswagen teased the social media world with its take on the NFT craze. In their view, it’s actually a substitute for a “Notably Fast Transporter.” And it’s probably a Golf GTI or R hot hatch. VW’...
Matte Ferrari F8 Lowered on Strasse Forged Wheels Plays the 1016 Contrast Game
22 Jan 2022, 08:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Say what you will about the rather subtle design changes between the F8 Tributo and its 488 predecessor. Or the fact it uses the same award-winning 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with identical 710-hp output. We had already forgotten everything... ...
This Liberty Walk Lambo Huracan CGI Dresses in Gunmetal and Cerakote Threads
22 Jan 2022, 07:34 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Just like its bigger, V12-powered Aventador sibling, Lamborghini’s Huracan is approaching retirement age. Thus, a little identity crisis is always in order, just to make sure people still like it. Albeit this one is only done in virtual f...
Camouflaged “Young Dolph” Chevy Camaro Hides in Plain Wrap Sight Its ZL1 Traits
21 Jan 2022, 13:50 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Surprisingly, last year Dodge’s Challenger sold better not only than Chevy’s Camaro. But it also bested Ford’s traditional Mustang king. That means a few things if we want to spin around the negative. Ford’s Mustang can...
2022 Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport 70th Anniversary Has 275 Diesel AWHP on Dyno
21 Jan 2022, 12:56 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Do not feel bad about Toyota’s Land Cruiser J300 abandoning America. Customers around the world are not faring any better, as the iconic off-roader boasts a years-long waiting list in certain places. For example, at home in Japan, placi...
2024 Bugatti Grand Sport Hybrid Imagines the Sustainable Future Beyond Chiron
21 Jan 2022, 11:09 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Everyone across the automotive industry is reinventing their strategies for the upcoming electrified future. And that’s valid from top to bottom. If we are to give out an example of automakers dwelling at the base of the EV food chain, ...
Dual-Tone Rolls-Royce Cullinan on Matching Forgiatos Gives Out Summer Ocean Vibes
21 Jan 2022, 10:46 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Rolls-Royce had to respond to Bentley’s outrage somehow. So, instead of lambasting their Bentayga SUV, the ultra-luxury British rival sought to outmatch it with their own Cullinan high rider. They chose the name well. After all, controv...