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Nissan Black Cab? NV200 London Taxi Unveiled

Meant to coincide with the 2012 London Olympic Games, Nissan today presented their proposed replacement for the iconic London black cab which the call the NV200 London Taxi. The vehicle they developed is still in testing, but early signs indicate a viable replacement for existing cabs.
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The NV200 passenger van has had to be re-engineered according to “London Taxi Conditions of Fitness”, which state the vehicle needs to accommodate a person in a wheelchair and also have a small turning circle of only 25ft (7.6 meters), both being huge challenges.

This means that the track has to be widened by 200mm, followed by added side steps. The front passenger seat was removed to make room for baggages, while in the back is cavernous, seating three people on a bench and two more on collapsable, rear-facing seats.

The engine is also revolutionary. Instead of petrol units, Nissan has fitted it with a 1.5-liter turbodiesel with either 89 or 110 hp. The automaker says this offers a fuel consumption level that’s twice as good as any cab today.

"Fuel costs account for around 10 percent of taxi driver overheads," says Nissan. "Over the course of a year, NV200 London Taxi drivers would spend around 50% less - about £700 - on fuel than TX4 drivers.”

It’s also very green. Nissan says that if all cabs were replaced with the NV200, “, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes each year - the equivalent of planting 10,000 acres, or two Congestion Charge zones, of trees every 12 months.”
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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