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.
These Are the Coolest Pickup Truck Trim Names of All Time
These Are the Coolest Pickup Truck Trim Names of All Time

25 Feb 2021, 08:15 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Most trucks are sold in various trim levels with monotonous names or abbreviations, but through history, some manufacturers ventured outside the box and came up with some catchy alternatives. For decades, trims have been used in the automotive ...

 
These Are the Five Best Windshield Wipers for Driving Through Heavy Snowfall
These Are the Five Best Windshield Wipers for Driving Through Heavy Snowfall

24 Feb 2021, 12:46 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you live in a part of the world where winter is in full effect, and your vehicle’s wipers are struggling to keep the windshield clean, you should switch to one of these specifically designed winter or all-weather wipers. Made from a di...

 
A Complete Guide to BMW’s Latest OTA Upgrade: How to Install It and What's New
A Complete Guide to BMW’s Latest OTA Upgrade: How to Install It and What's New

24 Feb 2021, 08:33 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Only five months after the last comprehensive remote upgrade, BMW has launched the latest version of its Operating System 7. It surpasses any previous versions in terms of size, and it brings some interesting new features and enhancements. The ...

 
This Is How to Easily Fit Snow Chains on Your Vehicle’s Tires
This Is How to Easily Fit Snow Chains on Your Vehicle’s Tires

24 Feb 2021, 08:04 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you get a lot of snowfall in your area, don’t rely on your winter tires to get you out of trouble. Having a set of snow chains in your trunk is always a good idea but knowing how to put them on your vehicle’s tires is paramount. ...

 
This Is How a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Broke the Guinness Indoor Land Speed Record
This Is How a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Broke the Guinness Indoor Land Speed Record

23 Feb 2021, 16:32 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Porsche’s unquenchable thirst for record-breaking glory isn’t limited to the boundaries of racetracks. After establishing more than a dozen British endurance EV records with the capable Taycan, the carmaker recently used the same car to...

 
Here Are All the Juicy Details on McLaren Artura’s 671-HP PHEV Powertrain
Here Are All the Juicy Details on McLaren Artura’s 671-HP PHEV Powertrain

23 Feb 2021, 13:34 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The British carmaker has recently revealed its first V6-powered hybrid supercar, the stunning Artura. It uses an innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain with a newly developed V6 aided by a lightweight electric motor at its heart. Almost twenty ye...

 
Looking to Sell Your Vehicle? Here Are Five Tips to Earn More Money
Looking to Sell Your Vehicle? Here Are Five Tips to Earn More Money

23 Feb 2021, 08:20 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Due to many obvious factors, used vehicles are currently far more popular than new ones. If you’re looking to sell yours and earn top dollar, these simple steps are guaranteed to raise its value. There are countless reasons why a good use...

 
This Is How Bentley Tests the Ultra-Exclusive Bacalar’s Enhanced W12 Engine
This Is How Bentley Tests the Ultra-Exclusive Bacalar’s Enhanced W12 Engine

22 Feb 2021, 16:15 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / The British carmaker has recently revealed that the first W12 engine intended for the exclusive Bacalar roofless grand tourer has completed the company’s three-stage testing process. The Bacalar is set to be the company’s rarest, mo...

 
Here’s All You Need to Know About the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV’s Super Cruise
Here’s All You Need to Know About the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV’s Super Cruise

22 Feb 2021, 13:52 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Chevrolet’s latest EV is here, and it’s packed full of enhanced safety features. Among them is the latest version of the Super Cruise advanced driver assistance system, which is set to be the carmaker’s first step towards a fully ...

 
Here Are Four Simple Maintenance Checks to Keep Your Vehicle’s Engine Healthy
Here Are Four Simple Maintenance Checks to Keep Your Vehicle’s Engine Healthy

18 Feb 2021, 15:43 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / There are few things worse than having your car break down, especially if you’re in the middle of nowhere. You can avoid this awful situation if you regularly perform these simple maintenance checks. Until electric vehicles completely tak...

 
AWD vs. 4WD: The Differences Between Them and Which One Is Better for You
AWD vs. 4WD: The Differences Between Them and Which One Is Better for You

18 Feb 2021, 14:01 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / There are a lot of misconceptions regarding all-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD). Some say they are the exact same thing; others argue that they are completely different, and one is a much better system than the other. In this article, ...

 
Hyundai Reveals Its Weapons for the Upcoming All-Electric Touring Car Series
Hyundai Reveals Its Weapons for the Upcoming All-Electric Touring Car Series

18 Feb 2021, 10:47 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / After succeeding in the WRC and WTCR, Hyundai Motorsport has committed to race in the inaugural season of the Pure ETCR, a touring car series for electric cars. The team has recently revealed the race car for this competition, along with an innovat...

 
These Are the Five Coolest U.S-Made Pickup Truck Concepts of the Last 25 Years
These Are the Five Coolest U.S-Made Pickup Truck Concepts of the Last 25 Years

18 Feb 2021, 08:41 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Pickup trucks have always been built with utility in mind, and the way they look was never a primary focus for manufacturers. However, some have ventured to step outside the box and create some awesome concepts. Nowhere are these vehicles more ...

 
Car Horn Not Working? Here Are the Potential Causes and How to Fix It Yourself
Car Horn Not Working? Here Are the Potential Causes and How to Fix It Yourself

17 Feb 2021, 15:11 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Driving around with a broken horn is not only dangerous for you and those around you but also illegal. Here are the main causes of this problem and what you can do about it. Along with the brakes, the horn is one of the oldest safety features...

 
Looking for a Used Truck Under $10K? These Are the Five Most Reliable Models
Looking for a Used Truck Under $10K? These Are the Five Most Reliable Models

17 Feb 2021, 13:24 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Unlike other SUVs or passenger cars, trucks are usually put to work, so buying a used one is never an easy task, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Based on customer reports, we compiled a list of the five most reliable options available...

 
ECU Remapping: What Are the Benefits and Can It Damage Your Car’s Engine?
ECU Remapping: What Are the Benefits and Can It Damage Your Car’s Engine?

17 Feb 2021, 08:11 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Regardless of the vehicle, there’s never enough power for a true gearhead. Upgrading your car with performance parts is awesome but also expensive. Still, there’s also a cheaper and less intrusive way to gain some ponies. Not long a...

 
Showboat All You Want With Mercury Marine’s Epic 600-HP Outboard V12
Showboat All You Want With Mercury Marine’s Epic 600-HP Outboard V12

16 Feb 2021, 14:49 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / In the era of electrification, Mercury Marine, one of the premier marine motor manufacturers, has just launched the first-ever V12 designed for outboard use because why not? For more than eighty years, the Wisconsin-based company has been produ...

 
EGR's RollTrac Bed Cover Is a Must-Have for Jeep Gladiator Owners, Here's Why
EGR's RollTrac Bed Cover Is a Must-Have for Jeep Gladiator Owners, Here's Why

16 Feb 2021, 08:15 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / If you’re a Jeep Gladiator owner looking for the best solution to protect your truck’s bed cargo, look no further than EGR’s upcoming next-gen RollTrac electric tonneau cover. It's strong, secure, and designed to withstand an...

 
How to Restore Your Vehicle’s Headlights Like a Pro in Four Easy Steps
How to Restore Your Vehicle’s Headlights Like a Pro in Four Easy Steps

15 Feb 2021, 16:28 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / Keeping your vehicle’s headlights clean is vital. Not only do they help you see the road at night but also make you visible to other motorists. With the right products, a little bit of patience, and following these easy steps, you can restore...

 
What Are Premium Gasoline and Diesel Fuels and Are They Worth the Higher Price?
What Are Premium Gasoline and Diesel Fuels and Are They Worth the Higher Price?

15 Feb 2021, 14:08 UTC · By: Vlad Radu / In most gas stations, next to the regular unleaded gasoline and diesel nozzles, one can find these additional pumps with labels promoting their benefits. That begs an obvious question: what are these premium fuels, and are they worth the extra pric...

 

Stories by Vlad Radu