Toyota’s vision for a new generation of Japanese taxis appears to borrow far more from London’s famous black cabs than the current generation of 1980s Crown-based specials plying the streets of Tokyo and Hong Kong.
The new JPN Taxi Concept makes it debut at the Tokyo motor show later this month. It was developed in line with the Japanese government’s programme for designing buses and taxis that are more user-friendly.
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The vehicle’s proportions and packaging have been tailored to give it the manoeuvrability that’s essential in urban traffic, and to make access easy for passengers, especially children and older people, with a high cabin, low floor and electric sliding door. Current Toyota taxis are a conventional sedan design with conventional doors though the nearside rear door can be opened and closed from the driver’s seat.
The concept has a new powertrain, an LPG hybrid system that offers better environmental performance around town.
The cab seats five and is equipped with a large interior monitor showing passenger information including the route to the destination and the fare.
