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Sebastian Toma

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Personal motto:

"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." - Mike Tyson

Senior Contributor
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Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. He cannot put a finger on what started it all, but it was there, and it grew day by day. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver).

It all started with him pointing at cars on the street and asking what make and model they were. Sebastian couldn't wait to be tall enough to see over their steering wheel and be allowed to drive them.

When was ready to hit the road, Sebastian was left without a potential first car after his family's '72 Mercedes-Benz was rolled by his father. While the early '70s sedan proved unexpectedly safe, Sebastian was left without a ride, so he took various jobs and saved up for an E30 BMW 3 Series. Months later, he got his dream job – writing about cars for a local website while he was getting a bachelor's degree in Journalism.

Fourteen years had passed since Sebastian started writing about cars and motorcycles, and his job took him behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles, as well as through some of the most important local publications.

Just before returning to autoevolution, he was the editor-in-chief of the country's most-read car magazine and its website. Sebastian took on the challenge and started writing for us again, so sit back and enjoy the read!
FIA Withdraws #43 From 2023 WRC Season as Tribute to Ken Block
FIA Withdraws #43 From 2023 WRC Season as Tribute to Ken Block

6 Jan 2023, 12:22 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / The FIA has announced it will retire competition number 43 from the WRC Season 2023 as a tribute to the driver most known for using it, the late Ken Block. The decision of retiring the #43 only affects the this season, but it may be a suggestion go...

 
McLaren and Gulf Oil Have Renewed Their Partnership, but It's Not About Gulf Oil Liveries
McLaren and Gulf Oil Have Renewed Their Partnership, but It's Not About Gulf Oil Liveries

5 Jan 2023, 17:17 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Everyone and their mother are familiar with the Gulf Oil livery, which used to be a thing many years ago, and has since returned to McLaren vehicles back in July 2020. Ever since January 2022, McLaren has announced it will offer a hand-painted Gulf...

 
Official: Andretti and Cadillac Plan on Entering Formula One Together
Official: Andretti and Cadillac Plan on Entering Formula One Together

5 Jan 2023, 16:26 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Remember when Mario Andretti's team was reportedly interested in joining Formula One? Well, we do, and they did, as well, and now they have just announced a tie-up with General Motors to compete under the Cadillac brand. Well, this is just a d...

 
ZF Unveils Heated Seat Belts, They Look Just Like Regular Ones
ZF Unveils Heated Seat Belts, They Look Just Like Regular Ones

5 Jan 2023, 15:21 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Automotive supplier ZF has unveiled its latest tech, called Heat Belt, and it is exactly what you think it is. Since we cannot read your mind, dear reader, we can explain that the technology refers to a heated seat belt. The idea is to bring heat c...

 
Harman Unveils Ready Display Tech for Cars, Claims Home Entertainment Image Quality
Harman Unveils Ready Display Tech for Cars, Claims Home Entertainment Image Quality

4 Jan 2023, 15:37 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Automotive supplier Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, has showcased its latest display tech at the 2023 CES event. The innovative technology is called Neo OLED, and it is described as an automotive-ready technology that will provide the level of dis...

 
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring With Six-Speed Manual Faces 911 GT3 With PDK Gearbox
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring With Six-Speed Manual Faces 911 GT3 With PDK Gearbox

4 Jan 2023, 14:56 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Porsche's 911 is offered in a multitude of versions, and some of them have special variants of their own. For example, the 911 GT3 can be had in “normal” and “Touring” forms, and with a PDK or with a six-speed manual tr...

 
This Is How the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Is Made - Unimog Manufacturing for Reference
This Is How the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Is Made - Unimog Manufacturing for Reference

4 Jan 2023, 12:46 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Mercedes-Benz has been making the G-Class since 1979. That is a long time, and the G-Wagen is not going to stop just yet. The German marque is also developing an electric version of it, which is called EQG, and that does not mean that the conventio...

 
Ferrari V12 Prototype Loves Powersliding, Gets Spied Doing It on the Fiorano Track
Ferrari V12 Prototype Loves Powersliding, Gets Spied Doing It on the Fiorano Track

3 Jan 2023, 17:34 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Ferrari is still working on its 812 successor, and its prototype is still being tested with a Ferrari Roma body. The engine is a V12, and the Italian steed was filmed while going all-out on the Fiorano test track. As you will observe in the video, ...

 
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA and CLA Shooting Brake Get Spied in Facelifted Form
2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA and CLA Shooting Brake Get Spied in Facelifted Form

3 Jan 2023, 16:18 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Mercedes-Benz is planning a facelift in the CLA and CLA Shooting Brake ranges. Both prototypes were spotted while testing, and we have a photo gallery that reveals what has changed, as well as what is different between the two body styles. Contrary...

 
Rally Driver Ken Block Passed Away After a Snowmobile Accident
Rally Driver Ken Block Passed Away After a Snowmobile Accident

3 Jan 2023, 03:43 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Rally driver Ken Block passed away after a snowmobile accident. The American racing driver was known for his adventures on four wheels, while also being a co-founder of DC Shoes. Many had only heard of Block's Hoonigan brand, while some knew h...

 
One of These 2007 Subaru WRXs Cost $43,000 to Build, Twice as Much as the Other
One of These 2007 Subaru WRXs Cost $43,000 to Build, Twice as Much as the Other

2 Jan 2023, 20:06 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Modifying a vehicle is rarely a cheap affair, and when it is, it shows in most cases. Skimping out on parts, upgrades, or maintenance may end up costing more than you saved, and the problem can appear even if you do all the work in a reputable work...

 
Stock McLaren 620R Faces Insane Dodge Viper With Hellcat Swap in a Straight Line
Stock McLaren 620R Faces Insane Dodge Viper With Hellcat Swap in a Straight Line

2 Jan 2023, 18:29 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Drag racing against a modern supercar is a bet that many lose before they even place. There is an exception, though, which is using a heavily modified car against a modern supercar. In that position, you may consider that you have a shot. Well, it ...

 
2024 BMW i5 Touring Spied Yet Again, i5 Sedan Also Makes an Appearance
2024 BMW i5 Touring Spied Yet Again, i5 Sedan Also Makes an Appearance

2 Jan 2023, 14:42 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / BMW's upcoming Project i model, the i5, is still undergoing testing. The prototype of the latest EV from Munich was seen while driving in winter conditions in Europe. The testing team continues work on the Touring model, which is BMW-speak for...

 
Alternate New Year's Resolutions for a Better 2023 in the Online Car Community
Alternate New Year's Resolutions for a Better 2023 in the Online Car Community

1 Jan 2023, 21:00 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / One year ago, I wrote an article about a different kind of New Year's Resolutions, meant not for automakers, but for vehicle owners. Now, I am not going to repeat myself here, but I have seen something different that I think needs to be addres...

 
Rental Car Expert Reveals Some of the Exotic Car Rental Industry's Dirty Secrets
Rental Car Expert Reveals Some of the Exotic Car Rental Industry's Dirty Secrets

31 Dec 2022, 12:14 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / These days, there are many people on the internet who claim that they can teach you how to start a business with cars. Without being clear if there is a link between the described crowd and those who are offering their vehicles for rent on various ...

 
2008 Honda CBR600RR Super Bike With Race-Winning Pedigree Gets Detailed
2008 Honda CBR600RR Super Bike With Race-Winning Pedigree Gets Detailed

30 Dec 2022, 15:48 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Detailing a motorcycle is a different task than it is for a vehicle, and the equation changes most of its parameters once again when we are focusing on a race-winning bike that has autographs on it and is meant to be collectible in the hands of its...

 
Stanced Car Owners Explain Why They Stanced Theirs, Some Admit to Making a Mistake
Stanced Car Owners Explain Why They Stanced Theirs, Some Admit to Making a Mistake

30 Dec 2022, 14:32 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Stanced cars are still a trend among a certain demographic, and this is still a popular style in some parts of the world. While others are just getting into the trend, some car enthusiasts have moved past it, and selected a new direction for their ...

 
2023 Dakar Rally Introduces Digital Roadbooks to Prevent Navigation Copycats
2023 Dakar Rally Introduces Digital Roadbooks to Prevent Navigation Copycats

30 Dec 2022, 13:13 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / The 2023 Dakar Rally is set to commence, and the organizers have drawn up a plan to stop a common practice that was both dangerous and unfair. As some of you may be aware, the Dakar Rally also involves navigating in the desert, not just driving or ...

 
Ridden: 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 – Freedom to Roam and Torque for All
Ridden: 2022 Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 – Freedom to Roam and Torque for All

30 Dec 2022, 09:01 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Back in 2021, Harley-Davidson started making the Pan America, which is the company's first foray into adventure bikes. The Milwaukee marque prepared a bike ready for the large class of the adventure touring segment, and it comes with the firm&...

 
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB Facelift Gets Spied While Driving Through Winter Wonderland
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLB Facelift Gets Spied While Driving Through Winter Wonderland

29 Dec 2022, 17:15 UTC · By: Sebastian Toma / Mercedes-Benz is working on a restyled version of the GLB, which is set to get an update in 2023 for the 2024 model year. The prototype of the facelifted GLB was spotted by our spy photographers, and it looks like Rose Gold is set to stay among the...

 

Stories by Sebastian Toma