TAKING A TAXI INTO TOMORROW
Nissan reveals the future of taxi transport with three different
models at the European Taxi Trade Fair
- New York City's next generation ‘Yellow Cab'
- Zero emission Nissan LEAF electric taxi
- Nissan Evalia
ROLLE, Switzerland (12 November 2012) - The taxis of tomorrow took centre stage on the Nissan stand at the European Taxi Fair, held last week in Cologne (9-10 November 2012).
Nissan presented a trio of advanced taxis, including the cab that will become very familiar to residents and visitors to New York from the end of next year when it takes to the streets of the Big Apple: the Nissan NV200 NYC Taxi of Tomorrow.
Designed specifically for New York - and with input from current Yellow Cab drivers - the NV200 taxi will, over the next 10 years, gradually replace the 13,000 registered passenger saloon-based cabs which carry up to 600,000 passengers around the city every day.
Among its features are ample room for four passengers, sliding side doors for both added safety and ease of ingress and egress, a transparent roof to provide exceptional views of the city and independent air conditioning for the passenger compartment.
Comfort and convenience features include extra floor lighting, a charging station for mobile phones, tablets and other gadgets, and breathable, anti-microbial, easy-to-clean and environmentally friendly seat covers.
The transformation of NV200 into the next generation Yellow Cab has prompted Nissan to recreate another iconic taxi, this time the legendary London ‘Black Cab'. A roomy five seater - complete with two rear-facing folding seats in the passenger compartment - the new London cab is currently undergoing the final type-approval tests before taking to the streets of the capital in next year. Nissan is actively talking to other authorities across Europe with a view to adapting NV200 so it complies with differing local requirements.
At the same time as preparing both the London and New York cabs for full production, Nissan has also developed a taxi version of the standard Evalia people carrier, itself NV200-based.
Evalia is ideally suited to its new taxi role. Capable of taking up to six passengers despite its compact footprint, the rear seats can quickly and easily be removed to create space for a wheelchair.
The third new taxi from Nissan is a genuine pointer to the future: the first all-electric zero emission cab. Comfortable, roomy, quiet and exceptionally well equipped, the Nissan LEAF taxi is the perfect solution for inner city work where the lack of tail pipe emissions will make a positive contribution to the quality of life. Standard equipment on the LEAF taxi includes automatic climate control, navigation system and rear-view camera.
Its AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h. The electric motor is powered by a Nissan-developed laminated lithium-ion battery with an output of more than 90 kW, giving LEAF a potential maximum range of 175kms. Recharging from empty to 100 per cent capacity takes eight hours with a normal charger and just 30 minutes from empty to 80 per cent using a quick charger in optimal conditions.
Six Nissan LEAF taxis are already undergoing ‘real-world' trial testing in New York while its proven technology features in the forthcoming e-NV200, an all-electric version of the vehicle that underpins the forthcoming London and New York taxis. It is but a short step to an e-NV200 electric Taxi.
