autoevolution
 

Vlad Radu

1,142  ARTICLES

Personal motto:

“From success, you learn absolutely nothing. From failure and setbacks conclusions can be drawn. That goes for your private life as well as your career.” - Nikki Lauda

Contributor
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At age five Vlad built a car cockpit out of wood, carboard and an old Trabant steering wheel under his desk and dreamed about driving the world’s most exotic cars. He grew up watching Michael Schumacher become a legendary driver, falling in love with speed and all things Ferrari in the process.

In high school, he crashed a communist-era Dacia 1310 with no brakes into a military base’s fence and almost got arrested on terrorism charges but bribed the base’s sentinel with three packs of cigarettes and only got in trouble for ruining the car.

He then decided to put his passion for cars on hold and concentrate on playing professional basketball. Due to a lack of talent, size, and a serious injury, he was forced to abandon professional sports and take a job as a video game tester. It was during this period that he discovered a passion for reading and writing after finding Hunter S. Thompson’s Hell’s Angels on a park bench.

The author’s writing style was fascinating to young Vlad and he continued to read all his books while creating a blog where he wrote about controversial social issues, inspired by his favorite author.

Years later, he got back to his first passion, taking a job at a local car parts dealership. He worked his way up from the sales department to a successful regional manager position, but something was still missing.

His biggest dream was to write so, when Autoevolution approached him to become a member of the team, he quit his old job instantly, and has been passionately writing ever since.

When he’s not busy creating articles or playing with his two-year-old son, he can be found working on his old BMW 3 Series Wagon or shredding trails on a mountain bike he assembled himself.
Widebody Spofec Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Is an Overdose of Charm and Power
Widebody Spofec Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Is an Overdose of Charm and Power

26 Apr 2021, 15:58 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Rolls-Royce vehicles are pieces of automotive art that flirt with perfection in an unequaled manner, and one of the most eloquent examples of this is the Wraith super luxury grand tourer. For the exacting enthusiasts who demand more than what come...

 
Here’s How Ford’s New GPS-Based Headlights Will Transform Night-Time Driving
Here’s How Ford’s New GPS-Based Headlights Will Transform Night-Time Driving

26 Apr 2021, 13:24 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Driving at night can be extremely demanding, especially on unfamiliar, winding roads, and many accidents occur due to poor visibility. Ford intends to change all that with its next-generation headlights that adapt to the road with unparalleled pre...

 
Are Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis Warranty Packages as Good as Advertised?
Are Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis Warranty Packages as Good as Advertised?

26 Apr 2021, 11:51 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / One of the major things you should consider when buying a new vehicle is the factory warranty package provided by the manufacturer. In the U.S., Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are among the brands that offer the most attractive packages, so let’s ...

 
2023 Cadillac Lyriq Pros and Cons: Can It Succeed in the Luxury EV SUV Segment?
2023 Cadillac Lyriq Pros and Cons: Can It Succeed in the Luxury EV SUV Segment?

23 Apr 2021, 15:43 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After a seemingly never-ending campaign of previews, the production version of the Cadillac Lyriq was finally revealed at this year’s Shanghai Auto Show. While there are many things to like about the luxury manufacturer’s first EV, some...

 
A Type S Story: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Acura’s Performance Nameplate
A Type S Story: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Acura’s Performance Nameplate

23 Apr 2021, 11:17 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Regardless of the type of vehicle we’re talking about, a sporty, performance-oriented variant will always make it more appealing to certain buyers. Acura acknowledged this two decades ago and borrowed the Type S nameplate from its parent comp...

 
These Are the Five Most Reliable Used Sedans You Can Get for $5,000 or Less
These Are the Five Most Reliable Used Sedans You Can Get for $5,000 or Less

21 Apr 2021, 15:54 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Cheap and reliable might be a paradoxical combination for used cars, especially if your budget doesn’t exceed $5,000. However, if you know what models to look for and you’re willing to make some compromises, you can end up with a very d...

 
Expectation vs. Reality: Why the Mercedes EQS’s Exterior Design Is Disappointing
Expectation vs. Reality: Why the Mercedes EQS’s Exterior Design Is Disappointing

21 Apr 2021, 11:25 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / While nobody can complain about the interior and capabilities of the new EQS, its exterior design doesn’t quite live up to flagship standards. That is especially true if we compare it to the exquisite concept car it was supposed to be based o...

 
A Guide to the Most Common Issues of the First-Generation Toyota Tundra
A Guide to the Most Common Issues of the First-Generation Toyota Tundra

20 Apr 2021, 15:08 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Tundra has established itself as one of the most popular choices for those looking for a reliable and capable pickup truck. However, the first-generation models manufactured from 1999 to 2006 are not indestructible and have been racking up mile...

 
MotoGP BMW M Award 2021: Season's Fastest Rider in Qualifiers to Win an M5 CS
MotoGP BMW M Award 2021: Season's Fastest Rider in Qualifiers to Win an M5 CS

20 Apr 2021, 11:53 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / BMW’s M division has been heavily involved in MotoGP for more than two decades, providing several service vehicles to the competition. At the end of each season, they also award the fastest rider in qualifiers with a spectacular M car, and th...

 
Examining the New 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron’s Powertrains and the Tech Behind Them
Examining the New 2022 Audi Q4 e-tron’s Powertrains and the Tech Behind Them

20 Apr 2021, 07:17 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After announcing that it will stop further development of ICEs, Audi continues its EV offensive. The latest members of its zero-emissions lineup are the Q4 e-tron and its Sportback sibling. Although they feature a different rear end, the compact c...

 
90 Years Ago: The Fascinating Story of Louis Chiron’s 1931 Monaco Grand Prix Win
90 Years Ago: The Fascinating Story of Louis Chiron’s 1931 Monaco Grand Prix Win

19 Apr 2021, 14:42 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the toughest races in motorsport, and throughout history, only the most talented drivers managed to cross its finish line first. Among them was Louis Chiron, the first and only Monégasque to triumph at the leg...

 
Here’s What Makes the New M3 and M4’s M-Developed xDrive AWD System So Special
Here’s What Makes the New M3 and M4’s M-Developed xDrive AWD System So Special

19 Apr 2021, 11:40 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Controversial front grilles aside, the 2021 M3 and M4 are two amazing high-performance vehicles that come with plenty of exciting features. Among them is the newly developed M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which is set to be available on the Compe...

 
Can Hyundai's Santa Cruz Convince Potential Midsize Truck Buyers to Go Smaller?
Can Hyundai's Santa Cruz Convince Potential Midsize Truck Buyers to Go Smaller?

16 Apr 2021, 16:21 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Although Hyundai describes the upcoming Santa Cruz as a Sport Adventure Vehicle to avoid upsetting traditional truck buyers, few will call it that. Regardless of how it will be referred to, the South Korean carmaker hopes it persuade some potential...

 
VW Celebrates da Vinci’s Birthday by Showcasing Five Artfully Decorated Cars
VW Celebrates da Vinci’s Birthday by Showcasing Five Artfully Decorated Cars

16 Apr 2021, 12:01 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / To celebrate Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, Volkswagen had the brilliant idea of showcasing five unique, artfully decorated models from around the world. Let’s meet them and uncover their interesting stories. We’re going throug...

 
Continental GT Mulliner Not Bespoke Enough? Meet the Japan-Bound Equinox Edition
Continental GT Mulliner Not Bespoke Enough? Meet the Japan-Bound Equinox Edition

16 Apr 2021, 07:57 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Throughout the years, Japanese enthusiasts have been blessed with some exclusive cars. Most of them were built by local automakers, but the latest is a gorgeous Mulliner-built Bentley Continental GT V8 called Equinox Edition, which will be sold in ...

 
BMW Partners With Nvidia to Take Digital Factory Planning to Another Level
BMW Partners With Nvidia to Take Digital Factory Planning to Another Level

15 Apr 2021, 13:11 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / In recent years, Nvidia has been heavily involved in the automotive industry. Through its latest collaboration with Bavarian giants BMW, the company aims to revolutionize virtual planning and make the factories where our vehicles are born more effi...

 
2021 Nissan Murano Earns Top Safety Pick+ Rating From IIHS, Here’s Why
2021 Nissan Murano Earns Top Safety Pick+ Rating From IIHS, Here’s Why

14 Apr 2021, 15:05 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Recently, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) announced that it awarded the 2021 Nissan Murano its top safety rating. Let’s explore the crossover SUV's safety features and understand why it earned this distinction. Firs...

 
Here’s What the 2022 VW Golf R’s Drift-Friendly 4Motion AWD System Has to Offer
Here’s What the 2022 VW Golf R’s Drift-Friendly 4Motion AWD System Has to Offer

14 Apr 2021, 12:29 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / With 315 hp, the upcoming R model has become the most powerful member of the Golf lineage. To properly deliver all that power to the wheels, Volkswagen engineers have developed a new version of the 4Motion AWD system. The Golf is arguably VW&rs...

 
Remembering Honda’s Legendary B16, the Engine That Brought VTEC to the World
Remembering Honda’s Legendary B16, the Engine That Brought VTEC to the World

14 Apr 2021, 09:53 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Although more than three decades have passed since its launch, the B16 is still one of the greatest engines ever built. It pioneered VTEC (Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control) and revolutionized the industry, becoming a favorite amo...

 
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing vs. BMW M3: Which High-Performance Sedan Is Better?
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing vs. BMW M3: Which High-Performance Sedan Is Better?

13 Apr 2021, 15:40 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Not long ago, Cadillac revealed the breathtaking CT4-V Blackwing a luxurious yet performance-oriented sedan set to compete directly with BMW’s new M3, so this comparison was bound to happen. There’s not much to separate them on paper, s...

 

Stories by Vlad Radu