Daimler's Smart division partied down with the Smart ForTwo cult by staging a parade late last week that totaled 1,207 vehicles. In all, about 2,500 people showed up at Budapest's Heroes' Square to listen to music and party like rock stars in tiny cars.
The parade, which included what was undoubtedly a romantic cruise along the Danube River, was set up to commemorate the 15th anniversary of an early, large gathering of Smart enthusiasts. The timing was auspicious, since Daimler is readying the second generation of the two-seater that is slated for the 2016 model year. Daimler unveiled the 2016 Smart ForTwo last summer. The German automaker managed to keep the notably short length the same, though it did widen the vehicle by four inches. The model will debut in North America later on this year with an 89-horsepower engine. The car still weighs less than 2,000 pounds and approaches a top speed of 100 miles per hour for anyone intrepid enough to try to hit those speeds.
Take a look at Daimler's press release about the Budapest parade below, and check out our First Drive of the 2016 Smart ForTwo here.
The parade, which included what was undoubtedly a romantic cruise along the Danube River, was set up to commemorate the 15th anniversary of an early, large gathering of Smart enthusiasts. The timing was auspicious, since Daimler is readying the second generation of the two-seater that is slated for the 2016 model year. Daimler unveiled the 2016 Smart ForTwo last summer. The German automaker managed to keep the notably short length the same, though it did widen the vehicle by four inches. The model will debut in North America later on this year with an 89-horsepower engine. The car still weighs less than 2,000 pounds and approaches a top speed of 100 miles per hour for anyone intrepid enough to try to hit those speeds.
Take a look at Daimler's press release about the Budapest parade below, and check out our First Drive of the 2016 Smart ForTwo here.
smart times 2015 in Budapest: 2,476 smart fans in the Hungarian capital
Stuttgart/Budapest, Aug 31, 2015
On 28 and 29 August 2015 2,476 smart fans from around the world came together in the Hungarian city of Budapest for this year's smart times. Historic Heroes' Square in the city centre was the venue for the 15th anniversary of the world's largest international gathering of smart fans. For the first time the smart times participants had an opportunity to tour the city on the Danube by night. A total of 1,207 vehicles participated in the final parade on the Hungaroring and through the city. The new smart fortwo cabrio was a special highlight, on show before its presentation at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.
smartxchange discussions with smart experts
When the event kicked off on 28 August the participants were able to enjoy all the different items on the agenda. The smart Club Village celebrated its premiere as a tent village for the best known smart clubs worldwide and formed the setting for the individual stations and stands on the extensive site. smartxchange was presented as a new interactive format for direct communication with smart fans. For the first time questions could be put to smart experts on the stage who offered interesting insights into the world of smart behind the scenes. Exhibitors from across Europe, concerts with local bands and further stage shows made for a varied programme. As in previous years, the service truck as smart's own mobile workshop was the central point of contact for smart fan vehicles. Test drives with the new smart models rounded off the smart brand experience in the Club Village.
Pit stop on Hungaroring
The best known highlight of smart times is the parade formed by smart fans in their own vehicles. It set off on Saturday, 29 August on the famous Hungaroring and led the convoy totalling 1,207 vehicles along the banks of the Danube back to the Heroes' Square venue. In the evening the traditional smart times contest was held where the spectators voted for their favourites from among the fan vehicles. The event ended with the eagerly awaited announcement of the venue for the next smart times in 2016 – and the winner is Hamburg!
Facts & figures - smart times 14
17-19 July 2014 in Cascais, Portugal
2380 attendees from 31 different nations
1427 smarts in the parade
Stuttgart/Budapest, Aug 31, 2015
On 28 and 29 August 2015 2,476 smart fans from around the world came together in the Hungarian city of Budapest for this year's smart times. Historic Heroes' Square in the city centre was the venue for the 15th anniversary of the world's largest international gathering of smart fans. For the first time the smart times participants had an opportunity to tour the city on the Danube by night. A total of 1,207 vehicles participated in the final parade on the Hungaroring and through the city. The new smart fortwo cabrio was a special highlight, on show before its presentation at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September.
smartxchange discussions with smart experts
When the event kicked off on 28 August the participants were able to enjoy all the different items on the agenda. The smart Club Village celebrated its premiere as a tent village for the best known smart clubs worldwide and formed the setting for the individual stations and stands on the extensive site. smartxchange was presented as a new interactive format for direct communication with smart fans. For the first time questions could be put to smart experts on the stage who offered interesting insights into the world of smart behind the scenes. Exhibitors from across Europe, concerts with local bands and further stage shows made for a varied programme. As in previous years, the service truck as smart's own mobile workshop was the central point of contact for smart fan vehicles. Test drives with the new smart models rounded off the smart brand experience in the Club Village.
Pit stop on Hungaroring
The best known highlight of smart times is the parade formed by smart fans in their own vehicles. It set off on Saturday, 29 August on the famous Hungaroring and led the convoy totalling 1,207 vehicles along the banks of the Danube back to the Heroes' Square venue. In the evening the traditional smart times contest was held where the spectators voted for their favourites from among the fan vehicles. The event ended with the eagerly awaited announcement of the venue for the next smart times in 2016 – and the winner is Hamburg!
Facts & figures - smart times 14
17-19 July 2014 in Cascais, Portugal
2380 attendees from 31 different nations
1427 smarts in the parade
Featured Gallery SmartParadeBudapest
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