Autoblog Managing Editor Steven Ewing explains the scavenger hunt he went on while testing the 2016 Smart Fortwo in Portland, OR.
TranscriptSTEVEN EWING: Hey guys. It's Steven Ewing. And I just returned from Portland, Oregon, where I attended the US launch for the new Smart Fortwo.
Smart kind of did something different this time around. Where instead of just getting there, and getting in the cars and driving, we actually went on a scavenger hunt. We picked up all the cars. They were waiting for us at Portland Airport. And then we had a series of checklists on a smartphone where we had to drive around to different landmarks or places in and around Portland, and look for clues, or do things like check in when we got there, or answer some questions, all sorts of different stuff.
And there were different points, depending on where you were, or what the challenge was. So sometimes it was as simple as, like, navigate to this place just outside of Portland, check in there. Or it was take a picture of the car next to this landmark. Or take a picture of yourself in the car.
There were other times where we'd have to go and do little challenges, like drive the Smart Fortwo in the 22.8 feet wide circle radius that they had to show off the turning radius. And then you would scan a QR code on the phone and you would keep your points for that challenge at that point.
So it was really interesting, and kind of a neat way to, like, experience the Smart, and you know, like, drive it around in the city and outside of the city while still having some fun and getting a little competitive. I was definitely one of the more competitive people that participated. And while I didn't win, I came in second place. Which, you know, if you're not first, you're last. But it was still nice to get recognized.
So kind of a cool thing to do with the launch of the Smart Fortwo. Two and it was a good way to experience the car in this city driving around, all while having a little more fun than you might normally have on a press trip. That's it, guys. Thanks.
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