autoevolution
 

Aurel Niculescu

9,667  ARTICLES

Staff Writer
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Once upon a time there was a little boy that didn't know his age but dreamed of reaching high in the sky alongside the absolute best aviators. He was passionate about reading books (action and Sci-Fi), grew up with many great authors and soon discovered the mirage of cinema.

There he understood anything is possible if you work hard and passionately strive to follow your imagination. This is how at the age of 16 he managed to fulfill the first dream – flying alone in a glider plane. He was no Tom Cruise, of course, so young adulthood brought him back to reality.

With every kick in the familiar *utt comes a chance to step forward, so a seemingly unimportant ad in one of his favorite automotive magazines brought a dilemma - follow through with the current job or dare to achieve greatness by deploying (previously) unknown literary skills.

Since 2006, he’s been perfecting them at Automondial, Supercar, Cox, Autoshow, Autopro, Auto Motor & Sport, and more magazines plus their online versions. After driving some of the best and worst cars in Europe and around the world, he’s part of the autoevolution team, where he aims to develop his best-ever form.
How Do You Like the New VW Passat Better – Sedan, Alltrack, or Feisty Passat R?
How Do You Like the New VW Passat Better – Sedan, Alltrack, or Feisty Passat R?

17 Sep 2023, 21:04 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / These novel ideas come from across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. Still, any of them could easily be implemented by Volkswagen – though only if their corner-office head honchos want to. Few people know that, but...

 
If Not for the Detroit Big Three, NAIAS 2023 Would Have Been Dead on Arrival!
If Not for the Detroit Big Three, NAIAS 2023 Would Have Been Dead on Arrival!

17 Sep 2023, 15:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / I am sorely disappointed by global automakers' interest (or lack thereof) concerning Europe's IAA Mobility 2023 and America's NAIAS 2023. I understand that schools kick off in September, but weren't we supposed to reap some bene...

 
2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Tickles Our 4x4 CGI Senses With 'Special' Widebody Version
2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Tickles Our 4x4 CGI Senses With 'Special' Widebody Version

17 Sep 2023, 01:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / For being an ancient format, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class 'true' off-roader SUV is surprisingly up to snuff with all the latest innovations across the automotive industry's OEM and aftermarket formats. But that's only logical, cons...

 
2024 Chevy Traverse Z71 Morphs Into a Unibody Pickup Truck: Does It Stand a Chance?
2024 Chevy Traverse Z71 Morphs Into a Unibody Pickup Truck: Does It Stand a Chance?

16 Sep 2023, 22:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / On the eve of the 2023 edition of Detroit's iconic auto show, Ford premiered the refreshed 2024 F-150 with lots of incremental updates and a few significant novelties like the new front grilles and different headlights based on trims, plus the...

 
Feisty Yet Sleek Mercedes-Benz Limousine Sketch Plays the BMW Tropes a Lot Better
Feisty Yet Sleek Mercedes-Benz Limousine Sketch Plays the BMW Tropes a Lot Better

16 Sep 2023, 21:04 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It is a well-known fact among worldwide automotive enthusiasts that Germany has possibly the greatest luxury triumvirate of all times – Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. And while they usually don't get along, that doesn't mean they don...

 
The 2024 Ford F-150 Needs to Become a Swashbuckler to Fight Off Its Opponents
The 2024 Ford F-150 Needs to Become a Swashbuckler to Fight Off Its Opponents

16 Sep 2023, 15:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / When it launched the refreshed 2024 F-150 full-size light-duty pickup on the eve of the 2023 Detroit Auto Show, Ford said its best-selling truck aims to "conquer life's challenges." Here's one: get your wits straight and fast be...

 
Facelifted 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan Looks Sleeker Than the Norm, Albeit Only in CGI
Facelifted 2025 Toyota Corolla Sedan Looks Sleeker Than the Norm, Albeit Only in CGI

16 Sep 2023, 01:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Everywhere you look across the vastness of the global automotive industry, it seems like there's a 99% chance of coming across a new Toyota model. The Japanese automaker is so present these days across the news that everything seems to ...

 
Revived Dodge Journey Comes Back From the Nether as a Rugged Off-Road CUV*
Revived Dodge Journey Comes Back From the Nether as a Rugged Off-Road CUV*

15 Sep 2023, 22:00 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The footnote is simple: this is all wishful thinking, and in no way is the author affiliated with Dodge, Jeep, or Stellantis. However, we still felt this project was compelling enough to warrant our attention. Unlike some other nameplates &n...

 
Dodge Aries 'K-Car' Returns From the Dead as a Digital Station Wagon 'E-Car'
Dodge Aries 'K-Car' Returns From the Dead as a Digital Station Wagon 'E-Car'

15 Sep 2023, 21:04 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Back during the early 1980s, Chrysler was (once more) in need of saving from government loans and a big gamble – its K-car architecture was a crucial automotive design platform during the era. The Chrysler Corporation introduced it as ...

 
This 'Humble' 1984 Dodge Caravan Might Have Scared the Ford SuperVan Away, if It Was Real
This 'Humble' 1984 Dodge Caravan Might Have Scared the Ford SuperVan Away, if It Was Real

15 Sep 2023, 20:54 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Minivans – a dying breed of the automotive universe, by all specialist accounts – are hardly worthy material of super racing endeavors. However, exceptions exist, such as the Renault Espace F1, Ford Transit SuperVan, or the "humble...

 
2025 Cadillac CT5 Unofficially Presents a Ritzier Color Choice Than GM Wants You to See
2025 Cadillac CT5 Unofficially Presents a Ritzier Color Choice Than GM Wants You to See

15 Sep 2023, 10:33 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The North American International Auto Show is currently in full swing (September 13-25) at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Downtown Detroit, and for sure, the Big Detroit Three helped the event maintain its attractivity. The Blue O...

 
Refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Launched Globally, Celebrates N Brand Anniversary
Refreshed 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Launched Globally, Celebrates N Brand Anniversary

15 Sep 2023, 09:41 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The worldwide presentation for the facelifted 2024 Hyundai Elantra N was scheduled for September 15 because that is precisely when eight years have passed since the N brand's launch in 2015. Some people might have a sensation of d&eacut...

 
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Gets Major Refresh and New $24k MSRP, Albeit Only Virtually
2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Gets Major Refresh and New $24k MSRP, Albeit Only Virtually

15 Sep 2023, 09:04 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / After a long year with numerous introductions, Toyota is probably taking some time off before continuing to push the tidal wave of novelties. No worries, the rumor mill is eager to fill in the blanks, meanwhile. Since the beginning of the ye...

 
Ford Mustang Experiences Are Growing Wider and Wilder, Both in the Real World and Online
Ford Mustang Experiences Are Growing Wider and Wilder, Both in the Real World and Online

15 Sep 2023, 08:14 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The 2024 Ford Mustang family consists of seven members - three for the street, three for the track - and one in between, bridging the gap – aka the Mustang GTD supercar. Well, it's another day for the seventh-generation 2024 Ford ...

 
Ford Ranger Hybrid (PHEV) Teased for September 19 Release, Tacoma Sighs in Relief
Ford Ranger Hybrid (PHEV) Teased for September 19 Release, Tacoma Sighs in Relief

15 Sep 2023, 07:39 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The Ford Motor Company doesn't want to compromise anymore. It now seeks to "get the best of both worlds" in its latest social media-focused teaser that mysteriously doesn't feature any specific model in its sights. However, ther...

 
Not a Corolla Cross Truck: Hypothetical 'Cheap' Toyota Pickup Threatens the Mavericks
Not a Corolla Cross Truck: Hypothetical 'Cheap' Toyota Pickup Threatens the Mavericks

15 Sep 2023, 07:02 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / As the North American car market moves further and further away from passenger cars into crossover, SUV, and truck territory, it makes sense that all sectors can and should be explored. A simple idea crossed Hyundai's expert minds some ...

 
1,000-HP Twin-Turbo Subaru STI Drags 1,000-HP Redeye-Swapped Nitrous 2009 Charger
1,000-HP Twin-Turbo Subaru STI Drags 1,000-HP Redeye-Swapped Nitrous 2009 Charger

15 Sep 2023, 06:30 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Herman Young and his desire to make the 'Demonology' channel one of the best places for Mopar quarter-mile aficionados have led to the discovery, salvage, and rebuild of an LX Charger into a veritable monster. Folks who love the qu...

 
Feisty Lambo Revuelto 'STO' Shows Its Sultry Rear From Behind the Digital Curtain
Feisty Lambo Revuelto 'STO' Shows Its Sultry Rear From Behind the Digital Curtain

14 Sep 2023, 20:54 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / It has been a while since we last talked about Lamborghini. That is mostly good news, meaning the exotic Italian automaker is busy counting the stacks of cash made from record sales during the latest financial exercise. It is also preoccupie...

 
2024 Nissan Frontier Mid-Sizer Kicks Off at $29,770, Adds SL Trim and Hardbody Edition
2024 Nissan Frontier Mid-Sizer Kicks Off at $29,770, Adds SL Trim and Hardbody Edition

14 Sep 2023, 13:58 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / The 2024 model year for the Frontier has arrived, and it's reasonably priced compared to its main rivals. Unfortunately, the Hardbody Edition is a bit of a letdown for anyone expecting a full-blown 1980s-style treatment. For example, th...

 
Revived Mitsubishi Raider Features an Unexpected CGI Twist: Outlander PHEV Meets Rampage
Revived Mitsubishi Raider Features an Unexpected CGI Twist: Outlander PHEV Meets Rampage

14 Sep 2023, 08:37 UTC · By: Aurel Niculescu / Last time we talked about the unibody Ram Rampage pickup truck, the company's first model produced in Brazil, we heard the great-looking workhorse was gearing up for a potential launch in the United States. There, it would probably caus...

 

Stories by Aurel Niculescu