Mircea Panait
20,321 ARTICLES
Personal motto:
"If in doubt, flat out." - Colin McRae
Interning for Top Gear was his first foray in automotive journalism, and not long after that, a full-time position was opened for Mircea to seal the deal. Just about three years later, autoevolution became his new home.
Especially interested in American ponies and muscle cars, Mircea also finds the Japanese domestic market appealing thanks to the quirkiness of kei cars. Full-size pickups like the Ram 1500 and off-roaders such as the Ford Ranger Raptor and Jeep Gladiator Rubicon are much to his liking as well.
A self-described master of pasta and an avid CCG player, Mircea’s past-time activities include playing his Epiphone Les Paul Special Vintage Edition electric guitar, discovering the wonders of the Carpathian mountains by foot, and driving to the Black Sea to get a well-deserved tan.
Fiat 500X Interior Spied Up Close
25 Jun 2014, 11:45 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / It’s hard to put your finger on what the Fiat 500X is about. Some say it is the bastard lovechild of a drunken night consumed between the 500 city car and the 500L mini MPV. However, due to the fact it will compete with models such as the Ni...
Jeep Renegade Opening Edition Is a 4WD Clockwork Orange
25 Jun 2014, 09:39 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Scheduled to hit U.S. showrooms before 2014 ends, the all-new baby Jeep spawned a limited run model that celebrates the Renegade’s launch. Even though it has been uninspiredly christened 'Opening Edition', the orange crossover is ac...
2015 Ford Edge Confirmed to Go On Sale Early Next Year · Video
25 Jun 2014, 08:23 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / After an awful long series of concept cars, spied pre-production mules and a packed rumor mill, the Blue Oval finally revealed the all-new Ford Edge. Compared to the first-generation launched in 2006, this one has been changed for the better from h...
Alfa Romeo MiTo Marshall Concept Was Made to Rock You
24 Jun 2014, 18:47 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / If you thought that the MiTo is getting a bit old now, fret no more ‘cause the Alfa Romeo supermini is back... in black! Specifically, this one-of-a-kind Italian hatchback was co-developed by renowned British amplifier manufacturer Marshall. ...
Is the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban the Unsung Hero of Family Road Trips?
24 Jun 2014, 17:49 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / As the coveted summer vacation draws ever nearer, the typical American household is making last minute preparations for the most perfect family experience yet. And that made us beg the question “What is the best suited vehicle for the job?&rd...
Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Walkaround
24 Jun 2014, 16:14 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / It is the most expensive fifth-generation Camaro money can buy you could’ve bought before it has sold out. Only 500 examples of the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 were made and each one starts from a whopping $75,000. If you wonder why this track...
Aston Martin Atom Prototype Going Under the Hammer At Goodwood
24 Jun 2014, 15:23 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / In the glamorous world of million dollar collectible car auctions, there are a few vehicles somehow designed from square one to be far more interesting than Ferrari and Jaguar sports cars from the golden age of motoring - the 1960s. But the vehicle...
Vauxhall Vivaro Stunt Driving by Paul Swift: Ballet on Four Wheels
24 Jun 2014, 14:02 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / The marketing people over at Vauxhall came up with a pretty entertaining promo video of the all-new Vivaro van. Precision stunt driver Paul Swift has been asked to demonstrate the toughness of the utilitarian machine, showing off a suite of all-new...
Opel Astra GTC Now Available With New Turbo Diesel
24 Jun 2014, 12:39 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Set to replace the 1.7-liter oil burner produced at GM Powertrain Poland since the dinosaurs were still around, the 1.6-liter CDTI turbo diesel will provide the Opel/Vauxhall Astra GTC with better grunt and greater fuel economy than its Isuzu-desig...
GM Design VP to Make Cameo Appearance in Transformers 4
24 Jun 2014, 11:47 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / It’s not surprising that the next movie from the Transformers franchise gathered a bucketload of attention from both the media and hardcore fans of Autobot leader Optimus Prime. However, it may come as a surprise to find out that one of GM&rs...
Chevrolet Volt Battery Coolant Issue Identified
24 Jun 2014, 09:51 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / According to the ignition switch recall-laden General Motors, owners of the 2012 and 2013 model year Chevrolet Volt long range electric vehicle are 'encouraged' by the manufacturer to schedule a visit to the nearest dealer around. Why so?...
Ford China Opened 88 Dealerships In One Day
24 Jun 2014, 09:14 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Before asking someone to pinch you to make sure you aren't dreaming, let us repeat that: yes, the Blue Oval did inaugurate a whopping 88 dealers over the span of 24 hours. This record-breaking feat happened in China last Thursday, June 19th, b...
ESS Stop-Start Technology Now Standard for 2015 Chrysler 200, Jeep Cherokee
24 Jun 2014, 08:27 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / So it seems the rumors were true and the Engine Stop-Start (ESS) fuel-saving technology has been confirmed as a standard feature on two bestsellers manufactured by the Chrysler Group - the 2015 model year Jeep Cherokee V6 and the 2015 Chrysler 200 ...
2015 Ford Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition Looks Gobsmacking Awesome In the Flesh
23 Jun 2014, 18:55 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / We've already covered the special edition Stang back in April before and after it was unveiled at the New York Auto Show, but now we can show you how the anniversary pony looks like in the flesh thanks to an enthusiastic fan of the breed that ...
Lincoln to Build All-New Flagship Model
23 Jun 2014, 17:50 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Lincoln's global director stated that Ford's upmarket arm will take the path less traveled by automakers these days in order to to revitalize its lineup. Unlike traditional premium marques from Europe, the brand doesn't intend to com...
2015 GMC Sierra Denali Gets Magnetic Ride Control
23 Jun 2014, 17:01 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Yup, you heard that right - General Motors decided to enhance both comfort and driving dynamics on the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali by fitting electronically controlled dampers, a segment-first on a full-size truck. Basically, magnetic ride control pr...
Ford Focus ST Facelift to Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
23 Jun 2014, 14:39 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / The Blue Oval's European arm announced that it will showcase the "new Focus ST" at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Be warned though - marketing people may call it 'new', but the heavily anticipated hot hatchback is nothing ...
Opel Meriva Gets Economical 1.6-liter CDTI Engine
23 Jun 2014, 13:47 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Until now, cost-conscious Europeans in the market for an Opel/Vauxhall Meriva could've opted for a 1.3-liter turbo diesel as the least expensive and most frugal oil burner in the lineup. However, the 1.3-liter powerplant will be soon replaced ...
Lancia Stratos Stradale For Sale in The Netherlands
23 Jun 2014, 12:37 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / Over the years, Lancia has made some pretty remarkable four-wheel wonders. The Fulvia, Montecarlo and Delta Integrale are some of the most appreciated models built by the almost defunct Italian manufacturer, but one nameplate is quite a bit more sp...
Ford Explorer Investigated Over Exhaust Leak
23 Jun 2014, 11:38 UTC · By: Mircea Panait / After multiple owners complained about very strong gasoline smell inside the cabin, the National Safety Highway Administration started an investigation to find out the exact cause of the latest problem affecting the Ford Explorer. According to comp...