autoevolution
 

Aurel Niculescu

9,322  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.
Digitally Modernized Lotus Esprit Racer “The ESP” Has Gold Wheels, Manga Vibes
Digitally Modernized Lotus Esprit Racer “The ESP” Has Gold Wheels, Manga Vibes

13 May 2021, 08:16 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / A proud representative of Giorgetto Giugiaro's polygonal “folded paper” styling, the Lotus Esprit is another perfect example for the long departed but not forgotten automotive category. And with such artistical reinterpretatio...

 
Twin-Turbo Mustang Drags Them All: Supra MkIV, Hellcat, R35 GT-R, C7 ZR1, Camaro
Twin-Turbo Mustang Drags Them All: Supra MkIV, Hellcat, R35 GT-R, C7 ZR1, Camaro

13 May 2021, 07:16 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Ford’s sixth-generation Mustang (S550) has become a regular fixture at the drag strip, and everyone knows its range of skills in stock form. Still, this 2016 Mustang GT owner wanted to punch way above its class, and the aftermarket sector is ...

 
Original Porsche Cayenne Isn't That Old, Yet Unique Classic Builds Are Here
Original Porsche Cayenne Isn't That Old, Yet Unique Classic Builds Are Here

13 May 2021, 07:09 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / In production since 2002, the Porsche Cayenne nameplate hasn’t even celebrated its 20th anniversary just yet, but that won’t stop the German automaker from enticing first-generation customers into creating bespoke one-offs to turn the S...

 
Early Reviews of the Alfa GTAm Reveal What's “Sensational” About a $218k Sedan
Early Reviews of the Alfa GTAm Reveal What's “Sensational” About a $218k Sedan

12 May 2021, 14:41 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / More than a year (we have a strong 2021 Bronco déjà vu right now) has passed since Alfa Romeo unveiled the 540-PS (533-hp) GTA and GTAm duet as the modern reincarnations of the 1965 Giulia “Gran Turismo Alleggerita.” And, ...

 
Spellbinding '69 Mustang 427 Stroker Pro Touring Is the Handiwork of One Man
Spellbinding '69 Mustang 427 Stroker Pro Touring Is the Handiwork of One Man

12 May 2021, 13:55 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Although no fewer than six generations have passed since the Blue Oval pulled the cover off the original pony car, one can easily understand the fascination some people still have with the first iteration of the Mustang. But, just in case you need ...

 
Modern Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Digitally Reverts the 2021 Puma Into a Coupe
Modern Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Digitally Reverts the 2021 Puma Into a Coupe

12 May 2021, 12:58 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / European Ford enthusiasts might remember that while North American buyers were getting a taste of the New Edge styling language with the refreshed fourth-generation Mustang, they had to slim down their sporty expectations to stuff like the original...

 
GM Design Puts a CGI Forward Control Twist on the Future of Exploration Trucks
GM Design Puts a CGI Forward Control Twist on the Future of Exploration Trucks

12 May 2021, 12:01 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Anyone looking to catch a glimpse into the world of automotive design centers needs to look no further than GM Design’s official social media account. A multitude of artistic expressions can be encountered there, from ideation sketches of wha...

 
Tough-Looking 1965 Ford Mustang Sends Out “Eleanor” Vibes With an Orange Twist
Tough-Looking 1965 Ford Mustang Sends Out “Eleanor” Vibes With an Orange Twist

12 May 2021, 11:16 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Whenever one lays eyes upon a seriously modified first-generation Mustang, there’s always a chance you’ll get an “Eleanor” déjà vu. Sometimes it’s for the better, other times for the worst. But, as always...

 
The Lone Ranger Isn't a Cowboy Anymore, but ARB's Take on Ford's U.S.-Spec Truck
The Lone Ranger Isn't a Cowboy Anymore, but ARB's Take on Ford's U.S.-Spec Truck

12 May 2021, 10:11 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Founded way back in 1975 and growing for more than four decades to become Australia's largest manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket 4WD accessories, it’s safe to say that ARB has the proper off-roading experience—and a global...

 
RLC Hot Wheels Mustang Cobra R Is So Exclusive You Only Have 48 Hours to Order
RLC Hot Wheels Mustang Cobra R Is So Exclusive You Only Have 48 Hours to Order

12 May 2021, 09:25 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It’s not just us that have a sweet spot for the Fox-Body, one model year-only 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, it seems. Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand now has a very exclusive, 48-hour window of opportunity for pre-ordering its own take on the ...

 
Lady's Caddy ATS-V Gaps Truck, Camaro, M3 but Vortec Mustang Proves Too Much
Lady's Caddy ATS-V Gaps Truck, Camaro, M3 but Vortec Mustang Proves Too Much

12 May 2021, 08:42 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Recent Street Car Takeover events that took place earlier this month at the Atlanta and Bristol Dragways have proven very successful in attracting both drag racing enthusiasts and onlookers, as the suspense was guaranteed. Case in point, the latest...

 
Semi-Official 2021 Ford Bronco Fuel Economy Figures Show Sasquatch Does 17 MPG
Semi-Official 2021 Ford Bronco Fuel Economy Figures Show Sasquatch Does 17 MPG

12 May 2021, 07:40 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It’s an almost tangible feeling: the 2021 Ford Bronco is about ready to hit the dealerships. Everything points in that direction, with the Blue Oval recently showcasing the accessories page and officially presenting the final specifications f...

 
2022 VW Tiguan Revealed With Fresh Design, More Technology, Streamlined Trims
2022 VW Tiguan Revealed With Fresh Design, More Technology, Streamlined Trims

12 May 2021, 07:07 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Volkswagen has introduced the second-generation Tiguan crossover in America back in 2017, and while it quickly rose up the ranks to assume the mantle of sales leadership, it has also faced increased competition from rivals in the segment. Naturally...

 
2021 Shelby GT Comes to the Custom Ford Mustang Party for a Lower $62,310 MSRP
2021 Shelby GT Comes to the Custom Ford Mustang Party for a Lower $62,310 MSRP

11 May 2021, 15:36 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / In March, Shelby American made the day of any Ford Mustang aficionado when it presented a “bundle of snakes.” The flagship apparition was naturally the 825-hp toting 2021 Super Snake Speedster, but the company knows very well it’s...

 
2021 Mercedes GLA Gets Compared to Old 911 Carrera Because of Close Power Levels
2021 Mercedes GLA Gets Compared to Old 911 Carrera Because of Close Power Levels

11 May 2021, 14:59 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / With today’s explicit OEM love of trespassing into unknown territory with just about every new model launch, can we really blame the internet for delivering the oddest comparisons possible? For today’s healthy dose of quirkiness, here&r...

 
$800 Upgrade Makes the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Interior Feel a Lot More Premium
$800 Upgrade Makes the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Interior Feel a Lot More Premium

11 May 2021, 13:51 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Unlike its larger 2-Door and 4-Door siblings, the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport is already out and about, so it’s only natural the aftermarket world has kicked off the custom parts bonanza. Case in point with the cool folks over at Vivid Racing, who...

 
Zenvo TSR-S Finally Reaches UK, Danish Maker Seems Ripe for Global Expansion
Zenvo TSR-S Finally Reaches UK, Danish Maker Seems Ripe for Global Expansion

11 May 2021, 13:12 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Given that some things move slowly even in the mass-market field (2021 Ford Bronco delays anyone?), one can imagine the snail pace of the automotive stratosphere. It was more than three years ago when renowned vlogger Shmee150 got the chance t...

 
Mostly Original 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Has Seductive $34,500 Price Tag
Mostly Original 1993 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra Has Seductive $34,500 Price Tag

11 May 2021, 12:22 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The third-generation Ford Mustang (a.k.a. the Fox Body) might not be everyone’s cup of tea as far as emerging classics go, but that shouldn’t stop anyone looking for a collectible from taking a second glance at the series. After al...

 
Humble Kia Picanto Photobombs Mesmerizing CLK GTR, 911 GT1, and F1 Unicorn Shoot
Humble Kia Picanto Photobombs Mesmerizing CLK GTR, 911 GT1, and F1 Unicorn Shoot

11 May 2021, 11:45 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / A very short stint during the 1990s paved the way for some of the most memorable cars that ever walked on Planet Earth, courtesy of the GT1 class of sports car racing and the motorsport rules of mandatory street-legal versions for homologation purp...

 
1956 Chevy Bel Air Restomod Is a Slick CGI Tri-Five Waiting for the Custom Build
1956 Chevy Bel Air Restomod Is a Slick CGI Tri-Five Waiting for the Custom Build

11 May 2021, 10:15 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It’s not for nothing that Chevrolet’s 1955, 1956, and 1957 models have now become the cult classic “Tri-Fives” in auto parlance. After all, these usually come with great backstories and surprise everyone whether they have ra...

 

Stories by Aurel Niculescu