autoevolution
 

Aurel Niculescu

9,211  ARTICLES

Staff Writer
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Once upon a time there was a little boy that didn't know his age but dreamed of reaching high in the sky alongside the absolute best aviators. He was passionate about reading books (action and Sci-Fi), grew up with many great authors and soon discovered the mirage of cinema.

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.
Murdered-Out Mercedes S 580 AMG Line Has the Brabus Monoblocks to Shine Brightly
Murdered-Out Mercedes S 580 AMG Line Has the Brabus Monoblocks to Shine Brightly

1 Oct 2021, 14:26 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It’s not easy catering to the high-profile world of the extra wealthy. But there are plenty of examples of success, nonetheless. Including across the bespoke/aftermarket automotive sector. Anyone who asks VIPs like Kim Kardashian where ...

 
Groovy Summit White and Turquoise 1994 Chevy G20 Is Cheap and Road Trip Ready
Groovy Summit White and Turquoise 1994 Chevy G20 Is Cheap and Road Trip Ready

1 Oct 2021, 12:49 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Although highly recognizable thanks to both its sales success and the popular culture interference, the Chevy Van isn’t exactly a vehicle to stand out in (any) crowd. But there are highly spectacular, converted exceptions. Possibly one ...

 
Two-Door Dirt Rally e-tron GT Digitally Becomes Ken Block's Audi “Hoonitron” EV
Two-Door Dirt Rally e-tron GT Digitally Becomes Ken Block's Audi “Hoonitron” EV

1 Oct 2021, 12:14 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / With the Subaru and Ford partnerships in the rear-view mirror, it wasn’t entirely shocking to imagine that Ken Block wouldn’t remain signed off by a major partner for too long. So, it wasn’t that surprising that he moved to the ho...

 
Toyota 2000GT Virtually Thrashes Classic Halo Status With Aggressive Wide Stance
Toyota 2000GT Virtually Thrashes Classic Halo Status With Aggressive Wide Stance

1 Oct 2021, 11:19 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Some people have no respect for legends. And, as far as the automotive world is concerned, that’s valid for about every pixel master dwelling the quarter-mile plains and time attack mountain roads of imagination land. Introduced at the ...

 
Laid Out 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokees Are Elegantly Dressed in CGI Shadow Line Trim
Laid Out 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokees Are Elegantly Dressed in CGI Shadow Line Trim

1 Oct 2021, 10:26 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / As is traditional with these complicated 21st-century automotive models, there was both good and bad news for Jeep Grand Cherokee fans these days. Luckily, the positive aspects are now virtually overwhelming. The cringeworthy moment has to do...

 
Superfly Beach Bomb Microbus Unleashes a Hot Wheels Slammed Widebody Attitude
Superfly Beach Bomb Microbus Unleashes a Hot Wheels Slammed Widebody Attitude

1 Oct 2021, 09:58 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Oddly enough, experts believe the most valuable Hot Wheels in the world is a 1969 Volkswagen Microbus. That would be the legendary rear-loading Beach Bomb Hot Wheels car that wasn't dressed up in purple, green, red, light blue, or gold. But in...

 
Imaginative Tesla Precept Hypercar Concept Looks Ready to Fight Nevera and Evija
Imaginative Tesla Precept Hypercar Concept Looks Ready to Fight Nevera and Evija

1 Oct 2021, 09:11 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / If anyone thinks automotive virtual artists are always doing things just for art’s sake... then guess again. But sometimes collaborations bring true wonders to virtual life. And they can be equally sustainable and outrageously quick. No...

 
Ken Block Lives Ultimate Petrol Head Dream, Rips Iconic and Secretive Rally Audis
Ken Block Lives Ultimate Petrol Head Dream, Rips Iconic and Secretive Rally Audis

1 Oct 2021, 08:01 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / We have been on an incredible journey alongside Ken Block ever since he first changed the face of automotive online content with his original Gymkhana. And now he’s opening a completely new chapter. With rips, of course! Ever since Ken B...

 
2021 Ford F-150 Lariat Sport Easily Becomes a Lifted Storm Trooper Impersonator
2021 Ford F-150 Lariat Sport Easily Becomes a Lifted Storm Trooper Impersonator

1 Oct 2021, 06:58 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Just like C8 Corvettes, Blue Oval’s fourteenth-generation F-150 is also starting to become a blank canvas for making it your own. And if one’s imagination doesn’t help, no worries, there are plenty of ideas floating around. ...

 
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Drags Turbo Pontiac Trans Am, Gets to Show Who's a Sport Boss
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Drags Turbo Pontiac Trans Am, Gets to Show Who's a Sport Boss

1 Oct 2021, 06:09 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Although it took place early September (10th to 12th), the 2021 Holley LS Fest East continues to reverberate through time. That’s all thanks to its numerous General Motors LS-powered highlights, of course. This event had something for e...

 
Barely Driven 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS Looks Fresh Out of V8 Undercover Duties
Barely Driven 1994 Chevrolet Impala SS Looks Fresh Out of V8 Undercover Duties

30 Sep 2021, 13:13 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Back in the early 1990s, Chevrolet decided to reinvent the Impala SS nameplate for contemporary duties. First as a 1992 Detroit Auto Show concept, then from 1994 to 1996 as a high-performance sedan with Caprice and Corvette DNA. While the 1992...

 
Ruthless Red Widebody 1969 Camaro Looks Worthy of Another Virtual SEMA Edition
Ruthless Red Widebody 1969 Camaro Looks Worthy of Another Virtual SEMA Edition

30 Sep 2021, 12:19 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Last year, because of you know who, most automotive events had to be canceled entirely or reinvent themselves for a digital lifestyle. That was also valid for the traditional SEMA Show, which became a virtual showcase. Just in case anyone has...

 
2022 Subaru WRX STI Hatchback Is Nothing More Than a Digitally Shorter Levorg
2022 Subaru WRX STI Hatchback Is Nothing More Than a Digitally Shorter Levorg

30 Sep 2021, 11:31 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / After acting as the flagship version of the compact Impreza line, Subaru took a different approach with the WRX/STI series beginning with the latter half of the previous decade. For better or for worse, that’s the future. Shifting away ...

 
CGI Godzilla Nissan GT-R Becomes a Vintage “Hakosuka” Using 1971 Skyline GT-R DNA
CGI Godzilla Nissan GT-R Becomes a Vintage “Hakosuka” Using 1971 Skyline GT-R DNA

30 Sep 2021, 10:33 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Although many GT-R aficionados reference the Godzilla era, diehard fans know very well the high-performance Nissan Skyline was a legend well before. And using a different nickname. For many, the traditional Nissan Skyline GT-R life starts wit...

 
BMW 5 Series Digitally Looks Back in Time, Goes for Vintage Life Cycle Impulse
BMW 5 Series Digitally Looks Back in Time, Goes for Vintage Life Cycle Impulse

30 Sep 2021, 09:36 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Sure, the G30 BMW 5 Series has already reached the facelift (aka LCI – Life Cycle Impulse – in BMW speak) threshold last year. And it (narrowly) escaped the humongous kidney grille treatment. But of course, no one can be sure what...

 
Mercedes-Benz EQG Looks Ready to Fight Digital Crime, Adopts Dubai Police Livery
Mercedes-Benz EQG Looks Ready to Fight Digital Crime, Adopts Dubai Police Livery

30 Sep 2021, 08:36 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / After years of hints and speculation, earlier this month Mercedes-Benz finally introduced the all-electric G-Class, just ahead of the official presentation during IAA 2021. But it wasn’t everything that we hoped for. Although it’s...

 
Chevy HHR and Lumina APV Get Virtual 454 SS Treatment to Make People Haulers Cool
Chevy HHR and Lumina APV Get Virtual 454 SS Treatment to Make People Haulers Cool

30 Sep 2021, 07:51 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / If anyone thinks automakers have been ducking it out on the performance truck front for a short while, let’s remember the days of the Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, GMC Syclone, and Chevy C1500 454 SS. With a CGI twist, or perhaps even two. ...

 
Supercharged Ford Mustang GT Drags Wheelie Pontiac Trans Am, It's Amazingly Close
Supercharged Ford Mustang GT Drags Wheelie Pontiac Trans Am, It's Amazingly Close

30 Sep 2021, 06:45 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Anyone seeking a traditional entry into the world of quarter-mile drag racing probably can’t go wrong when selecting the Mustang platform. Especially if the racer is not of the stock variety. Six generations of Mustangs and counting, wi...

 
Late Model Year Dodge Viper VX I Examples Are Already Rocking Auctions
Late Model Year Dodge Viper VX I Examples Are Already Rocking Auctions

29 Sep 2021, 15:37 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Although America is now seen as a land of ever-lasting love for all things crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks, its automotive enthusiasts are also into other stuff. Muscle cars would be one, sports vehicles with a tendency to reference snakes woul...

 
1,200-Mile 1987 Buick GNX Could Prove Entirely Affordable at “Just” Over $123k
1,200-Mile 1987 Buick GNX Could Prove Entirely Affordable at “Just” Over $123k

29 Sep 2021, 13:35 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Today, the discontinued North American Buick Regal (actually a rebadged Opel Insignia/Holden Commodore ZB) is but a pale shade compared to its illustrious forebearers. Chief among them being the 1987 Regal GNX. Introduced for the final model ...

 

Stories by Aurel Niculescu