autoevolution
 

Vlad Radu

1,131  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.
How Jeep's New Wagoneer SUVs Take Body-on-Frame Construction to a New Level
How Jeep's New Wagoneer SUVs Take Body-on-Frame Construction to a New Level

24 Mar 2021, 14:53 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / With the recently revealed Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, Jeep has revived the iconic nameplate as a standalone sub-brand. Built on Ram’s DT frame, these models promise to take body-on-frame construction to the next level, thanks to the multitu...

 
Honda Releases New Anti-Virus Cabin Air Filters: A Little Late and Nothing New
Honda Releases New Anti-Virus Cabin Air Filters: A Little Late and Nothing New

24 Mar 2021, 11:27 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Recently, the Japanese manufacturer’s European division announced the release of a new generation of premium cabin air filters designed to do a much better job blocking out harmful viruses like the one responsible for the current health crisi...

 
This Is How the Low Mode Heightens the Driving Experience of a Rolls-Royce
This Is How the Low Mode Heightens the Driving Experience of a Rolls-Royce

24 Mar 2021, 08:28 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The experience of driving a Rolls-Royce is best described as smooth, flawless comfort. These vehicles often feel like they’re levitating, transporting the driver and passengers into an unparalleled dimension of tranquility. Yet under their ho...

 
The Electric Wrangler Magneto’s Manual Gearbox Is What EVs Really Need Right Now
The Electric Wrangler Magneto’s Manual Gearbox Is What EVs Really Need Right Now

23 Mar 2021, 14:45 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / For this year’s Easter Safari event, Jeep has unveiled several awesome concepts, including the all-electric Wrangler Magneto. While it won’t blow people’s minds with the technologies it utilizes, the fact that it features a manual...

 
The Epic 2ZZ-GE: Toyota’s Yamaha-Developed Four-Cylinder Supercharged by Lotus
The Epic 2ZZ-GE: Toyota’s Yamaha-Developed Four-Cylinder Supercharged by Lotus

23 Mar 2021, 11:27 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Aiming to create a performance-oriented engine that would be smaller, lighter, and efficient enough to be relevant in the era of downsizing, Toyota enlisted Yamaha's help to create the iconic 2ZZ-GE. It was so good that Lotus "borrowed&qu...

 
Here Are Some Useful Tips to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy
Here Are Some Useful Tips to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy

23 Mar 2021, 08:14 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you haven’t abandoned ICEs completely and still drive around in one, even if it’s a hybrid, you can always squeeze a bit more distance out of every tank of fuel. This is possible not just in theory but also in practice by following t...

 
BMW i4 vs. Audi e-tron GT: What on Earth Is Happening With BMW’s Design Team?
BMW i4 vs. Audi e-tron GT: What on Earth Is Happening With BMW’s Design Team?

22 Mar 2021, 15:48 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After Audi introduced the production version of its all-electric grand tourer a month ago, BMW also previewed its first electric sedan, the highly anticipated i4. While close to the e-tron GT in terms of power and range, design-wise, the Bavarian c...

 
Why a Used Toyota MR2 Spyder Is the Perfect Low Budget Mid-Engine Sports Car
Why a Used Toyota MR2 Spyder Is the Perfect Low Budget Mid-Engine Sports Car

22 Mar 2021, 12:30 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Mid-life crisis or not, there comes a time in a car enthusiast’s life when buying a sports car becomes a priority. Since a new one is often way too expensive, looking at some used alternatives is the next logical step. One of the cheapest yet...

 
Five Simple Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car’s Tires
Five Simple Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car’s Tires

21 Mar 2021, 16:31 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Although they are extremely important for your safety and play a key part in how a vehicle handles, tires are often neglected. Following these easy steps, you can not only extend their lifespan but also improve fuel economy, ride comfort, and overa...

 
The BMW M3 and M4’s Drift Analyzer: A Seemingly Useless Tool Gearheads Will Love
The BMW M3 and M4’s Drift Analyzer: A Seemingly Useless Tool Gearheads Will Love

19 Mar 2021, 15:24 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / This month marks the highly anticipated market launch of BMW’s latest M3 and M4 models. As we prepare to get our hands on them, let’s take a look at one of the most outlandish features these cars can be equipped with, the M Drift Analyz...

 
All-New 2022 Grand Wagoneer Is Here so Let’s Step Inside Its Jaw-Dropping Cabin
All-New 2022 Grand Wagoneer Is Here so Let’s Step Inside Its Jaw-Dropping Cabin

19 Mar 2021, 12:37 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / With the launch of the new Wagoneer sub-brand, Jeep aims to set new benchmarks for luxury and refinement. Nowhere is that more evident than inside the Grand Wagoneer flagship, where we find a harmonious blend between craftsmanship and technology. ...

 
Looking to Boost Your Ride’s Horsepower? Here Are Seven Ways to Do It
Looking to Boost Your Ride’s Horsepower? Here Are Seven Ways to Do It

19 Mar 2021, 08:18 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Whether you want to enhance your lazy car’s engine or you’re a speed addict who can never get enough, you can find many ways to increase horsepower. Let’s take a look at the most popular methods. You’re at home, in front...

 
Audi Stops Developing New ICEs, So Let’s Remember Ingolstadt's Most Epic Engines
Audi Stops Developing New ICEs, So Let’s Remember Ingolstadt's Most Epic Engines

18 Mar 2021, 12:43 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Audi AG chairman Markus Duesmann stated that the company will cease the development of new internal combustion engines in a recent interview. While the news isn’t surprising, it’s undoubtedly sad, especially for die-hard gearheads. ...

 
Tacoma TRD Off-Road vs. New Frontier Pro-4X: Which Off-Road Truck Is Better?
Tacoma TRD Off-Road vs. New Frontier Pro-4X: Which Off-Road Truck Is Better?

17 Mar 2021, 16:55 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you’re in the market for a Japanese midsize truck with serious off-road capabilities, these two models should be on top of your list. Which one is the better buy depends on several factors, so this article takes a closer look at both model...

 
How Toyota Plans to Replace Diesel Power With Hydrogen in the Industrial Sector
How Toyota Plans to Replace Diesel Power With Hydrogen in the Industrial Sector

17 Mar 2021, 11:30 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Along with petrol engines, diesels are slowly but surely phasing out in the automotive world. They are still widely used in the industrial sector because of their reliability and low maintenance costs. Toyota is determined to change that, and its e...

 
Faster, More Capable 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder Is Ready to Join the Force
Faster, More Capable 2021 Ford F-150 Police Responder Is Ready to Join the Force

17 Mar 2021, 08:27 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The blue oval has just unveiled the all-new 2021 F-150 Police Responder, a purpose-built pursuit-rated pickup truck that promises to offer law enforcement agencies an unprecedented level of capability and versatility. From the emblematic LTD Cr...

 
Believe It or Not, Unreliable Toyotas Exist: Here Are the Worst Three
Believe It or Not, Unreliable Toyotas Exist: Here Are the Worst Three

16 Mar 2021, 16:01 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / When thinking about the manufacturer of the most unreliable cars out there, Alfa Romeo comes to mind first, and Toyota might just be dead last. However, the Japanese manufacturer did release some problematic models over the years, albeit still far ...

 
These Are the Main Qualities That Make the GR Yaris the Ultimate Pocket Rocket
These Are the Main Qualities That Make the GR Yaris the Ultimate Pocket Rocket

16 Mar 2021, 12:20 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / One of the most spectacular hot hatches released in recent years, the GR Yaris is the first performance model to be developed from the ground up by Toyota in the last twenty-some years. Die-hard fans of the Japanese brand might be frustrated that a...

 
The Iconic Wagoneer Nameplate Is Back, but Where Have the Jeep Badges Gone?
The Iconic Wagoneer Nameplate Is Back, but Where Have the Jeep Badges Gone?

16 Mar 2021, 08:43 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The 2022 Wagoneer and its larger Grand Wagoneer sibling are here, and both models look amazing. They bring Jeep’s potent 4x4 capability, Hemi engines, and a smooth-riding suspension system, yet something obvious seems to be missing. Recen...

 
Experience the T.50 as Gordon Murray Drives It on the Track for the First Time
Experience the T.50 as Gordon Murray Drives It on the Track for the First Time

16 Mar 2021, 08:24 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After years of development, testing, and fine-tuning, the spiritual successor of the McLaren F1 and one of the most anticipated hypercars in recent memory hit the track for the first time yesterday. Behind the wheel was none other than Professor Go...

 

Stories by Vlad Radu