Anglophiles rejoice, one of the world's most recognizable automotive icons has been homologated for sale in North America, the London Taxi. Since 1949, the London Taxi has been England's urban people mover, evolving through the years to be an efficient, comfortable, and charismatic conveyance.
First introduced on the other side of the Pond in 2002, the latest edition, dubbed TX2, is on-sale now. This modern classic is purpose built for livery and taxi services, with an emphasis on reliability and function.
London Taxi Cab of North America President Larry Smith says, "These cars are extremely durable with an average life of more than 500,000 miles." To achieve that heady milestone, the cars have been engineered to withstand an exhaustive duty cycle and to be easy to repair. Even the steel body panels remove for replacement convenience.
The 3969-lb, body-on-frame cars are powered by a 2.4-liter/90-horsepower Ford turbodiesel engine with 148 lb-ft of torque at 1800 rpm. This efficient engine promises 24 mpg city performance and a lengthy 9000-mile service interval.
The driver is treated to a seat designed to remain comfortable and supportive on long days, with attention to control ergonomics evident in the modern dash configuration. There is no front passenger seat, as that space is designated for luggage; the rear compartment has only limited cargo space though it carries full-size passenger space. Up to five riders can sit in the passenger compartment on a three-across bench and two fold-down buckets. With three passengers, legroom is downright royal.
These left-hand-drive vehicles carry special appeal for the mobility challenged, boasting a built-in wheelchair ramp, swivel-out passenger seat, side step, bright-colored handles and sills, and intercom system with hearing-aid friendly induction loop. All passengers benefit from wide doors that open 90-degrees, tall 53-inch entry height, integrated child seat, and independent front/rear HVAC controls.
Although the business is focused on livery and taxi fleet sales, these distinct vehicles may carry special appeal for certain private customers. Offered in two forms, the Civilized Taxi retails for $44,800, and the more coddling Executive Taxi starts $48,800. And yes, the car is offered in multiple colors
For more information, visit: www.ltna.com