"Taxi! Fuel-efficient taxi!"
Tuesday, 7 August 2012 10:16 AM
The new Nissan NV200 London taxi promises better pollution control than the black cabs we're used to. But is it iconic?
Nissan has taken the wraps off a new Hackney Carriage for London - it's clean and green as well as being black.
The NV200 London Taxi is almost 50% more fuel-efficient than alternative taxis saving the drivers around £700 a year in fuel costs, it's easy for disabled passengers to access, it seats five adults, and it complies to all Transport For London regulations including the 25-foot turning circle. The passenger doors slide open which not only makes it easier to get in and out, but it also means it makes it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
It is powered by a frugal 1.5-litre diesel engine with a six-speed manual gearbox and it achieves 53.3mpg on a combined cycle, compared to the most efficient TX4, with its combined cycle figure of 35.3mpg. Emissions are down too - the NV200 emits 138g/km of CO2 compared to 209g/km, the output of the current "greenest" cab.
It is the next generation Nissan taxi, following on from the more recognisable London Taxi Company LTI FX4 Fairway black cab and the TX1, which were both powered by 2.7-litre Nissan diesel engines.
These new Nissan taxis are already on the road in Tokyo and New York City has chosen the NV200 as the city's "Taxi of tomorrow". It is expected that the NV200 will have full London Taxi certification later this year.
An all-electric e-NV200 concept car will also be trialled as a taxi in London.
By Georgia Lewis
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