autoevolution
 

Vlad Radu

1,141  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.
Looking to Buy a Used Third-Gen Toyota RAV4? Here Are 5 Common Mechanical Issues
Looking to Buy a Used Third-Gen Toyota RAV4? Here Are 5 Common Mechanical Issues

12 Apr 2021, 14:53 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular crossover SUVs, and if you’re looking to buy a used third-generation model, these are the most common mechanical problems you should pay close attention to before sealing the deal. This model deb...

 
The Hyundai Kona N Will Use an 8-Speed Dual-Clutch, Here’s What Makes It Special
The Hyundai Kona N Will Use an 8-Speed Dual-Clutch, Here’s What Makes It Special

12 Apr 2021, 12:33 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The South Korean manufacturer’s upcoming high-performance SUV won’t just come with extra horsepower but will also use an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Let’s take a closer look at what it has to offer and how it will improve the...

 
Celebrating 50 Years of the 350 SL: The First Mercedes Roadster Powered by a V8
Celebrating 50 Years of the 350 SL: The First Mercedes Roadster Powered by a V8

12 Apr 2021, 10:20 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Building on its famous predecessors' legacy, the R107 SL was one of the most sought-after luxury roadsters during the ‘70s and ‘80s. It showcased German engineering at its finest, and for the first time in model history, it was ava...

 
Buying a Used Pontiac G8 GXP: These Are Common Issues You Should Consider
Buying a Used Pontiac G8 GXP: These Are Common Issues You Should Consider

9 Apr 2021, 15:59 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The G8 was among the last vehicles marketed by Pontiac before the brand’s unfortunate demise, and its V8-powered GXP was a crazy RWD sedan that was hard not to appreciate. If you’re thinking of buying a used one, you should know it does...

 
The Pros and Cons of the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye’s Interior
The Pros and Cons of the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye’s Interior

9 Apr 2021, 12:10 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you decide to buy the world’s most powerful sedan, the thing that you look forward to the most is what lies under the hood and not in the cabin. However, when spending over $80,000 on a vehicle, you expect a premium interior, so let’...

 
Porsche’s Quest to Develop Eco-Friendly Fuels Might Save ICEs From Extinction
Porsche’s Quest to Develop Eco-Friendly Fuels Might Save ICEs From Extinction

8 Apr 2021, 12:55 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Although it’s a major player in the EV market with the breathtaking Taycan, Porsche refuses to give up on ICEs and heavily focuses on developing renewable, lower-carbon, and synthetic climate-neutral fuels. In the last decade, electric ve...

 
Outback Wilderness vs. RAV4 TRD Off-Road: A Middleweight Bout for Trail Hegemony
Outback Wilderness vs. RAV4 TRD Off-Road: A Middleweight Bout for Trail Hegemony

8 Apr 2021, 09:41 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Outback was already a popular choice for those looking for a versatile vehicle, but Subaru promises that the new Wilderness variant will turn it into a full-blown off-roading machine. Let’s take a look at its capabilities and how it stack...

 
These Are the Most Fuel Efficient Non-Electrified Cars You Can Buy in 2021
These Are the Most Fuel Efficient Non-Electrified Cars You Can Buy in 2021

7 Apr 2021, 15:43 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Believe it or not, there are still many among us who still prefer pure ICE power in the era of electrification. If you’re one of those people and would like to buy a new car this year, but you still want excellent fuel consumption, these are ...

 
How Bespoke BMWs Are Born: A Detailed Guide to the Individual Manufaktur Program
How Bespoke BMWs Are Born: A Detailed Guide to the Individual Manufaktur Program

7 Apr 2021, 11:34 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you’re looking for a new, one-off BMW but you’re not a millionaire or part of a royal family, the German automaker’s Individual Manufaktur program offers a wide range of unique customizations. Those include exclusive paints, up...

 
The Mercedes EQS Powertrain Proves 400V Architectures Are Not Yet Obsolete
The Mercedes EQS Powertrain Proves 400V Architectures Are Not Yet Obsolete

7 Apr 2021, 07:14 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Before the official unveiling scheduled for April 15th, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has been revealing bits and pieces of information about its upcoming EV flagship, the luxurious EQS. Among other details, the most recent press release feature...

 
Here’s Why Comparing Audi’s quattro to BMW’s xDrive Is Ultimately Pointless
Here’s Why Comparing Audi’s quattro to BMW’s xDrive Is Ultimately Pointless

6 Apr 2021, 12:51 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The rivalry between the two German automakers has given birth to many arguments among fans of each brand, and one of the most heated debates is centered around their all-wheel-drive systems. But as we’re about to see, comparing quattro to xDr...

 
Will the 2021 Honda Accord's Barely Updated Interior Turn-Off Some Buyers?
Will the 2021 Honda Accord's Barely Updated Interior Turn-Off Some Buyers?

2 Apr 2021, 15:02 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The tenth-generation Honda Accord is among the best value-for-money sedans out there. It offers a range of solid powertrains that includes a hybrid and various equipment levels to satisfy a wide range of customers. Inside, nothing major has changed...

 
2021 Subaru Crosstrek: Which of the Five Available Trims Is Better for You?
2021 Subaru Crosstrek: Which of the Five Available Trims Is Better for You?

2 Apr 2021, 11:23 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Also known as Subaru XV outside North America, the Crosstrek is one of the best adventure-capable subcompact crossovers out there. If you’re looking to buy a 2021 model, there are several trims to choose from, so let’s take a look at ea...

 
Ioniq 5 vs. Kia EV6: The Similarities and Differences Between Korea's Sister EVs
Ioniq 5 vs. Kia EV6: The Similarities and Differences Between Korea's Sister EVs

1 Apr 2021, 15:46 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you want to buy a new EV in the near future, the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 will probably make your list. If you like both and haven’t decided which one to go for, we’ll help you make the right decision by analyzing what they have in common...

 
Mercedes-AMG Officially Goes Hybrid With New E Performance Powertrains
Mercedes-AMG Officially Goes Hybrid With New E Performance Powertrains

1 Apr 2021, 12:34 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The German high-performance car specialists have just revealed their plans for the immediate future, which will be electrified. Called E Performance, the company’s upcoming hybrid powertrains will utilize eight- and four-cylinder AMG-develope...

 
These Are 5 of the Best Aftermarket Brands for Your Replacement Pads and Rotors
These Are 5 of the Best Aftermarket Brands for Your Replacement Pads and Rotors

31 Mar 2021, 09:55 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The braking system is the oldest and most important safety feature of any vehicle, and its maintenance should be treated with the utmost importance. This article takes a look at the best aftermarket options for replacement pads and rotors, which co...

 
These Are the Most Common Symptoms of a Failing Engine Starter
These Are the Most Common Symptoms of a Failing Engine Starter

31 Mar 2021, 08:39 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The starter is responsible for turning over your car’s engine and helping it start, but like all parts, it has a limited lifespan, and it will eventually fail. The four-stroke internal combustion engines that power our automobiles rely o...

 
You Probably Didn’t Know the 2021 RAV4 Has These Three Cool Features
You Probably Didn’t Know the 2021 RAV4 Has These Three Cool Features

31 Mar 2021, 07:40 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Modern vehicles are packed with many technologies and features, so many that it’s easy to overlook some of them. In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the 2021 RAV4 and some of the features you probably had no idea about. There...

 
Buying a Used XV50 Camry: 2.5 Four-Cylinder Engine and Transmission Issues
Buying a Used XV50 Camry: 2.5 Four-Cylinder Engine and Transmission Issues

30 Mar 2021, 16:24 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Camry is one of the most popular Toyota models out there. If you’re looking to buy a used midsize sedan, the XV50 generation equipped with the reliable and efficient 178-hp four-cylinder deserves serious consideration. However, even ...

 
A Comprehensive Look at the Legendary Toyota 2JZ Engine
A Comprehensive Look at the Legendary Toyota 2JZ Engine

30 Mar 2021, 12:42 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The Japanese manufacturer is well known for making some great engines throughout the years, but the one that stands out from the pack is the legendary 2JZ. One of the best six-cylinder powerplants ever made, the 2JZ is so well put together that, wi...

 

Stories by Vlad Radu