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.
A Legend Turns 100: The Fascinating Story of the Bugatti Type 13 "Brescia"
A Legend Turns 100: The Fascinating Story of the Bugatti Type 13 "Brescia"

9 Mar 2021, 17:18 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / In 1921, four race-enhanced Type 13s competed at the Grand Prix for Voiturettes in Brescia, Italy, obliterating the competition and finishing the race in the top four positions. The feat marked a turning point for Bugatti, as the small open-top rac...

 
BMW M Unveils Four New Amazing Safety Vehicles for the 2021 Moto GP Season
BMW M Unveils Four New Amazing Safety Vehicles for the 2021 Moto GP Season

9 Mar 2021, 14:56 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / With the 2021 season set to debut on March 28 in Qatar, the Bavarian manufacturer’s M division, the official safety car supplier for the competition for over two decades, has just revealed its all-new fleet. Final preparations for the 73r...

 
$40,000 Lexus Sedan Showdown: IS or ES, Which One Is Better for You?
$40,000 Lexus Sedan Showdown: IS or ES, Which One Is Better for You?

9 Mar 2021, 12:51 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Those looking to buy a new sedan that delivers a high level of comfort and reliability for a competitive price should seriously consider a Lexus. The IS and ES models, in particular, have similar base prices but are tailored for different types of ...

 
Meet Five of the Most Reliable Toyota Models of All Time
Meet Five of the Most Reliable Toyota Models of All Time

8 Mar 2021, 15:15 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Toyota hasn’t become the world’s best-selling automaker and one of the biggest companies in the world by chance; it made a name for itself by manufacturing some of the safest, dependable, and reliable vehicles out there. The Japanes...

 
Bugatti Launches Comprehensive Service Program for Veyron And Chiron Owners
Bugatti Launches Comprehensive Service Program for Veyron And Chiron Owners

8 Mar 2021, 11:04 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Bugatti customers who own a Veyron or Chiron can now benefit from the carmaker’s exclusive Passeport Tranquillite service program, which ensures that the multimillion-dollar hypercars are always well-maintained and perform flawlessly. Apa...

 
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Toyota FJ Cruiser
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Toyota FJ Cruiser

5 Mar 2021, 14:49 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Although it never exceeded sales expectations, the FJ Cruiser’s unique retro design, capability, and reliability earned it a cult following. If you’re looking for a versatile mid-size SUV, but you don’t have the money for a new on...

 
How to Easily Remove Stickers From Your Vehicle Without Leaving Any Traces
How to Easily Remove Stickers From Your Vehicle Without Leaving Any Traces

4 Mar 2021, 15:57 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Whether they are on your vehicle’s bumper, bodywork, or windows, stickers can be difficult to get rid of. This article will guide you through the process of removing them without leaving any traces. Maybe you bought the vehicle with an ...

 
Is Toyota's 2021 Tacoma V6 Too Slow? Some People Seem to Forget It's a Workhorse
Is Toyota's 2021 Tacoma V6 Too Slow? Some People Seem to Forget It's a Workhorse

4 Mar 2021, 14:57 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / According to Customer Reports, which recently reviewed it, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma powered by the 3.5-liter V6 is one of the slowest-accelerating trucks available on the U.S. market. Unveiled in January 2015 at the Detroit Auto Show, the third g...

 
A Look Back at Toyota’s Achievements in the Fascinating World of Rallying
A Look Back at Toyota’s Achievements in the Fascinating World of Rallying

4 Mar 2021, 10:52 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After nearly two decades away from the sport, Toyota returned to the WRC in 2017, and since then, the team won two Drivers’ and one Manufacturers’ titles. But these are just the latest in a long line of rallying achievements for the Jap...

 
Five Reasons Why the Bugatti Divo Is Almost Twice as Expensive as the Chiron
Five Reasons Why the Bugatti Divo Is Almost Twice as Expensive as the Chiron

3 Mar 2021, 12:27 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Built as a more exclusive, track-oriented version of the Chiron, the Divo is one of the French luxury carmaker’s most innovative creations. But is it so mind-blowingly superior to demand almost $6 million? Launched in 2018 at the Monterey...

 
A Close Look at What Land Rover's 2022 Defender V8 Range Toppers Have to Offer
A Close Look at What Land Rover's 2022 Defender V8 Range Toppers Have to Offer

2 Mar 2021, 16:50 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / A little more than a year after it debuted the modern version of its epic off-roader, Land Rover has given the Defender a series of upgrades for the 2022 model year, chief of which is a powerful 5.0-liter supercharged V8. Launched in September ...

 
This Is Why the Camry TRD Is One of 2021's Best Sports Sedans for Under $35K
This Is Why the Camry TRD Is One of 2021's Best Sports Sedans for Under $35K

2 Mar 2021, 12:48 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / For those looking for a family-friendly sedan with a sporty side who don’t have the budget for a BMW, the 2021 Camry TRD is worth looking at. It comes with plenty of power from a potent V6, a track-tuned suspension, and some aggressive exteri...

 
Before the New Model S, These Cars Had the Most Eccentric Steering Wheel Designs
Before the New Model S, These Cars Had the Most Eccentric Steering Wheel Designs

27 Feb 2021, 16:45 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Recently, Tesla has revealed the facelifted Model S which also gets a redesigned interior equipped with a yoke-style steering wheel, much to the surprise of everyone. However, the American company is not the first to use an unconventional design o...

 
Here Are Five Essential Tips to Master the Art of Buying a Used Pickup Truck
Here Are Five Essential Tips to Master the Art of Buying a Used Pickup Truck

27 Feb 2021, 15:15 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Buying a good used truck is a process so complex that it should be recognized as an art form, but if you’re patient, organized, and know what to look for, you can end up with an awesome truck. These workhorses of the automotive industry h...

 
Check Out Five of the Best Winter Tires for Your Truck or SUV
Check Out Five of the Best Winter Tires for Your Truck or SUV

26 Feb 2021, 16:45 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / No matter how good a vehicle handles or how capable its 4WD system is, the tires it’s equipped with will make the difference in the cold season. Here are our top choices for every pickup truck or SUV owner. Winter tires are specifically d...

 
Step Inside the 2022 Kia Carnival and Discover Its Classy and Luxurious Interior
Step Inside the 2022 Kia Carnival and Discover Its Classy and Luxurious Interior

26 Feb 2021, 13:38 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / With the launch of the all-new 2022 Kia Carnival, the South Korean manufacturer aims to combine the best of the minivan and SUV worlds as the luxurious MPV has a lot to offer, including a classy interior. Developed to replace the aging Sedona, ...

 
Looking for an EV Charger for Your Home? You Should Consider These Five Models
Looking for an EV Charger for Your Home? You Should Consider These Five Models

26 Feb 2021, 08:21 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you’ve committed to an electric vehicle, charging it overnight at home is the most convenient solution. In this article, we guide you through the process of buying one and take a quick look at five of the best Level 2 chargers out there. ...

 
Your Vehicle’s Cruise Control Isn’t Working? Here Are the Most Common Causes
Your Vehicle’s Cruise Control Isn’t Working? Here Are the Most Common Causes

25 Feb 2021, 14:32 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you frequently drive long distances, the innovative cruise control system is invaluable, but sometimes it might stop functioning. This article explores the potential causes and what you can do to fix this annoying issue. Designed to reduce s...

 
A Closer Look at the Mind-Blowing Aerodynamics of the GMA T.50s Niki Lauda
A Closer Look at the Mind-Blowing Aerodynamics of the GMA T.50s Niki Lauda

25 Feb 2021, 12:23 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The GMA T.50s Niki Lauda, one of the most highly anticipated track-focused hypercars in recent memory, is here, and it’s so aerodynamically innovative that it produces almost twice its weight in terms of downforce. More than three decades...

 
What Is High Mileage Oil and Should You Put It in Your Car’s Engine?
What Is High Mileage Oil and Should You Put It in Your Car’s Engine?

25 Feb 2021, 08:42 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Even for major gearheads, choosing the right oil for your car can cause many headaches, so if manufacturer specifications and the multitude of brands weren’t enough, we now have an influx of high mileage oils to consider. Gone are the si...

 

Stories by Vlad Radu