Nissan Unveils New NV200 London Taxi with Reduced CO2

The London taxi is one of the most iconic shapes in all of motoring. They may not be fast, but the their two-box shape goes back to the 1920s, and it has been repeatedly copied since then. On August 6, NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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revealed a new shape for the London taxi. Based on the NV200Nissan NV200Japan, 0 > present145 versions
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van, the newly offered vehicle has significant reductions in emissions and fuel costs. London mayor Boris Johnson was on hand at the vehicle's unveiling. 

The NV200 London Taxi is 4.4m long, 1.86m high. It uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 89hp and 240Nm of torque. It has 53mpg imp fuel economy (5.33l/100km) and produces 139g/km of CO2. Initial cars will have a six-speed manual transmission, but an automatic transmission will be offered later. It will hold five passengers: three on the rear seat and two on rear facing fold down seats. 

Nissan has worked with people with mobility issues to make the NV200 easy to enter and exit.

"We have had the opportunity to bring together experts from all fields of disability to work with designers to ensure the vehicle will work for all in their transport needs.  The work is ongoing and future refinements are planned after the initial launch, as many ideas have been discussed and are currently undergoing development," said Alan Norton from Assist UK.

The NV200 London Taxi had to be modified with greater front wheel articulation to meet the 8m turning circle requirement. The requirement comes from the tight roundabout at the entrance of the Savoy Hotel that the UK uses as the legal standard for taxis. It actually beats the standard by turning within 7.6m. It also has new front indicators.

Compared to the TX4 taxi that is currently offered the NV200, the new van has 1/3rd better fuel economy, which could save £14,593,401 a year in diesel fuel. Individual drivers could see a savings of £663 a year. In addition to fuel savings, the NV200 produces 42% less CO2, which would reduce annual CO2 production by 37,970 metric tons.

Nissan did not announce a price for the NV200 London Taxi, but it said that it would be less than the current TX4 London Taxi.

In addition to the conventional NV200, Nissan will also be testing the electric e-NV200Nissan e-NV200Japan, 2012 > present12 photos
in London in 2013.