autoevolution
 

Cristian Agatie

Contributor
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As a child, he grew up among tractors and heavy machinery and was covered in grease from tip to toe most of the time. It was a tractor that he drove for the first time and when asked what he’d become, he candidly replied: “tractor operator”. Later on, he drove all kinds of vehicles, from heavy trucks to off-roaders, all outside of public roads until he got his driving license.

He did not become a tractor operator, as you can tell already. Instead, he got interested in journalism and pursued a career finding stories for local newspapers and radio stations. But the first love is never forgotten, so when presented with the chance, he seized it and became a motor journalist in 1995.

Having found the perfect job to mix his passion for cars and journalism, he couldn’t help exploring other areas, like science, computers, and mobile devices. He took stints working for a computer magazine for a couple of years, and it was then that he had his first contact with new media. But cars always remained his passion, so he returned to motor journalism when Auto Bild started its local branch. Later, he became an internet junkie, and moving online felt only natural.

In the meantime, he also became obsessed with technology, electric vehicles, batteries, and whatnot, so he writes a lot about those. He found autoevolution a fertile ground for exploration and so he discovered his passion for RVs and campers, but also solar panels and new energy solutions.
Major FSD Beta Build Goes to Tesla Employees, Dramatically Improving Driving Behavior
Major FSD Beta Build Goes to Tesla Employees, Dramatically Improving Driving Behavior

18 Apr 2023, 08:09 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Most discussions around Tesla's FSD Beta software revolved around the 11.3 version in the past months, but there's a new kid in town. The FSD Beta V11.4 build is rolling out to Tesla employees and will eventually reach customers' veh...

 
Smart #3 Crossover Coupe Goes Official With 268 HP Base Spec, Brabus Model Getting 422 HP
Smart #3 Crossover Coupe Goes Official With 268 HP Base Spec, Brabus Model Getting 422 HP

17 Apr 2023, 14:36 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The smart brand was mostly idling in 2019 when Mercedes-Benz and its partner Geely decided to start a joint venture and give it a new lease of life as an EV company. The Germano-Chinese brand launched the smart #1 in April 2022 and is now going to ...

 
Volkswagen ID.7 Unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2023 with Unlikely 435-Mile Range
Volkswagen ID.7 Unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2023 with Unlikely 435-Mile Range

17 Apr 2023, 13:15 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Volkswagen ID.7 was launched simultaneously in Europe, the U.S., and China, but its unveiling during the Auto Shanghai 2023 was on purpose. It shows how important the Chinese market is for the German carmaker. Volkswagen wanted to replace the IC...

 
Greek Accident Investigator Petitions NHTSA To Recall All Tesla Vehicles Sold After 2013
Greek Accident Investigator Petitions NHTSA To Recall All Tesla Vehicles Sold After 2013

17 Apr 2023, 06:32 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / A Greek accident investigator accuses Tesla of introducing a "special feature" that facilitates sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) events. In a lengthy technical document submitted to the NHTSA, Costas Lakafossis argues that the ability...

 
Rivian R1T Owners Are Looking for Aftermarket Alternatives for Missing Tonneau Cover
Rivian R1T Owners Are Looking for Aftermarket Alternatives for Missing Tonneau Cover

17 Apr 2023, 05:22 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Disgruntled Rivian R1T owners are tired of waiting for Rivian to fix the powered tonneau cover or offer a manual option and have taken the matter into their own hands. Many started looking for aftermarket or DIY solutions to protect the beds of the...

 
Tesla Service Center Employee Reveals 'Secret' Fix for the Model X's Dashboard Squeak
Tesla Service Center Employee Reveals 'Secret' Fix for the Model X's Dashboard Squeak

16 Apr 2023, 23:22 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla Model X owners have been complaining about creaks and squeaks coming from the dashboard area, but nothing seemed to help. One Tesla Model X Plaid owner has been trying to fix the noise on his cars for over a year. Finally, he met a Service Ce...

 
Model 3 'Project Highland' Marks an Important Change in Tesla's Strategy
Model 3 'Project Highland' Marks an Important Change in Tesla's Strategy

16 Apr 2023, 08:02 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The recent Model 3 front picture leak may have spoiled Tesla's Project Highland show, but many details are still under wraps. New prototype sightings unveil more than Tesla would like us to know, including information about the cabin. Rumor...

 
Tesla Fixed Its YouTube App so You Can Watch Videos in 1080p Resolution
Tesla Fixed Its YouTube App so You Can Watch Videos in 1080p Resolution

15 Apr 2023, 23:34 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / In January, the YouTube app in Tesla cars started displaying videos in 360p resolution, forcing owners to find workarounds. After two months, Tesla finally fixed its YouTube app, and videos can show in 1080p resolution again. "What a beauti...

 
Tesla Re-Enables Remote Window Functions for Vehicles on 2023.2.12 Software and Later
Tesla Re-Enables Remote Window Functions for Vehicles on 2023.2.12 Software and Later

15 Apr 2023, 09:02 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla is rolling out a server-side update that re-enables remote window functions such as Vent and Close windows on lock. The functions were removed in January after Tesla recalled 1.1 million vehicles because the automatic reversal system of its p...

 
Tesla Switches to Using LFP Prismatic Cells in Upcoming Powerwall 3
Tesla Switches to Using LFP Prismatic Cells in Upcoming Powerwall 3

14 Apr 2023, 23:58 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Tesla will soon launch the Powerwall 3, its battery storage solution, and rumors indicate it's preparing a radical change. Rumor has it that Tesla will ditch NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) cells and opt instead for LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) ...

 
First Image of a Tesla Cybertruck With Its Frunk Open Hints at Massive Storage Space
First Image of a Tesla Cybertruck With Its Frunk Open Hints at Massive Storage Space

14 Apr 2023, 16:19 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / As Tesla Cybertruck production start nears, more exciting details surface. Previous rumors indicated that the Cybertruck would have a frunk, but the internet was divided about its capacity and design. A new picture showing a Cybertruck with the fru...

 
Correction: Tesla Model 3 refresh will not feature a Model S dashboard
Correction: Tesla Model 3 refresh will not feature a Model S dashboard

14 Apr 2023, 14:06 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / The first leaked image of the upcoming Tesla Model 3 refresh, aka Project Highland, is not yet done dividing the internet, and we already have more to think about these days. New leaks suggest that Tesla might change the dashboard of the Model 3 to...

 
Tesla Cuts Model 3 and Model Y Prices in Europe, Volkswagen Badly Hurt
Tesla Cuts Model 3 and Model Y Prices in Europe, Volkswagen Badly Hurt

14 Apr 2023, 11:24 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Although not everyone agrees, Tesla engaged in a price war that is here to stay for the long run, becoming a weapon of choice in fending off competition. One week after the EV maker slashed prices in the US, Tesla made a similar move in Europe, und...

 
Tesla Cybertruck Pays a Visit to the Wind Tunnel, Shows Off Its Capable Gigawiper
Tesla Cybertruck Pays a Visit to the Wind Tunnel, Shows Off Its Capable Gigawiper

14 Apr 2023, 09:05 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / As Tesla prepares the Cybertruck for series production, a lot of talking has revolved around its massive wiper, which people fondly call "gigawiper." People speculated that it could not wipe the whole windshield. Still, a new video showin...

 
Would You Buy a Tesla Model X Rescued From the Bottom of the Danube River for $24,000?
Would You Buy a Tesla Model X Rescued From the Bottom of the Danube River for $24,000?

13 Apr 2023, 17:34 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Electric vehicles don't have problems when they drive through water, although spending more time submerged can damage them. One Tesla Model X owner found a buyer for their car that spent several days underwater after sinking into the Danube Ri...

 
Zoox Showcases Robotaxi Safety Features, Here's How It Withstands a Crash Test
Zoox Showcases Robotaxi Safety Features, Here's How It Withstands a Crash Test

13 Apr 2023, 10:34 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / People claim that driverless cars could be safer than human drivers, but that doesn't mean autonomous vehicles don't need to offer crash protection to their passengers. Zoox, the self-driving technology company owned by Amazon, offered a ...

 
Rivian R1S Electric SUV Receives Yet Another Strong Seal of Approval
Rivian R1S Electric SUV Receives Yet Another Strong Seal of Approval

13 Apr 2023, 08:25 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Rivian has been on a roll promoting its vehicles and company on social media. After CEO RJ Scaringe did an interview with Marques Brownlee earlier, the popular YouTuber shared his opinion on the R1S SUV in another video. Coming from a guy who alrea...

 
Tesla Model 3 "Project Highland" First Picture Leaks, Showing Streamlined Front Fascia
Tesla Model 3 "Project Highland" First Picture Leaks, Showing Streamlined Front Fascia

13 Apr 2023, 06:37 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / It's no secret that Tesla is working on a redesigned Model 3 under "Project Highland," as we've already seen it testing camouflaged prototypes of the new model. Now we also have the first picture of the car, showing a Roadster-l...

 
As EV Adoption Gains Speed, Lawmakers Ponder Mileage-Based EV Tax
As EV Adoption Gains Speed, Lawmakers Ponder Mileage-Based EV Tax

12 Apr 2023, 17:53 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / As more people buy electric vehicles, the gasoline tax revenue will decline significantly. This has made lawmakers in Vermont consider taxing EV owners based on their mileage. The state still wants to convince people to switch to electric vehicles,...

 
Volkswagen ID.2 Will Be Profitable at 25,000 Euros, Claims CEO Thomas Schaefer
Volkswagen ID.2 Will Be Profitable at 25,000 Euros, Claims CEO Thomas Schaefer

12 Apr 2023, 15:09 UTC · By: Cristian Agatie / Volkswagen unveiled the ID. 2all concept in March, previewing an affordable compact EV for the masses. Brand CEO Thomas Schaefer claims the upcoming model, which should sell for around €25,000/$27,500, will provide a healthy margin of at least...

 

Stories by Cristian Agatie