By Mike Torpey on 2012-08-07 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Nissan unveils
hackney cab rival
NISSAN is set to take on the traditional black hackney cab with its own greener, more efficient version - based on a van.
Named the Nissan NV200 London Taxi, the vehicle is based on the existing NV200 and is due to arrive next year with the promise of far lower CO2 emissions compared to current taxi models.
While this is in line with mayor Boris Johnson's Air Quality strategy for the capital, Nissan is going a step further with plans to undergo trials for an all-electric e-NV200 concept.
Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and it has also been chosen as the exclusive New York City ‘Taxi of tomorrow'.
And Johnson has joined disability groups and the influential London Taxi Drivers' Association in welcoming the launch of the new cab, which Nissan says will return 53.3mpg from its 1.5-litre dCi diesel engine.
While the NV200 has been designed with comfort, space and convenience in mind, a particular focus is placed on providing for passengers with mobility issues.
So apart from seating five adults - three on a rear bench with two on rear-facing fold-down seats - there are also sliding doors, while the front passenger seat has been removed to create space for luggage.
Steve McNamara of the Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association said: "Nissan already has a great footing in the London taxi market - the 2.7-litre diesel that featured in some of the early taxis was one of the greatest engines ever put in a cab. From what I've seen of the 200 London Taxi, it ticks all the right boxes."
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