New York hails next taxi
New York hails next taxi Much-loved Ford Crown Victoria replaced by Nissan van-turned-cab
It’s a big deal in the Big Apple. Nissan has pulled off a huge coup by winning a contract that will see its one of its commerical vehicles become New York’s next yellow taxi.
Previously the famous cabs were Ford Crown Victorias – but Nissan beat the blue oval and Turkish maker Karsan Otomotiv with a purpose-built version of its NV200 van. The 10-year contract is worth around £600m and will start in 2013.
While the Nissan MPV’s looks are hardly evocative of a traditional New York ‘yellow cab’, the taxi is designed specifically for its role, featuring a glass roof to offer views of skyscrapers, charging points for phones, ample, flexible seating, sliding doors for easy access and satnav.Â
“For the first time, we’ll have a taxicab that wasn’t ‘off the rack’, but rather custom-tailored to create the best fit for the drivers, owners and passengers of our city,” Taxi and Limousine commissioner David Yassky said.
Of the three finalists, the NV200 was the cheapest at £18,000 per vehicle and with fuel economy of around 25mpg, much less thirsty than the 12mpg Crown Victoria. By 2017, Nissan will offer electric versions too.
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