In a majority vote, New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) officially approved regulations requiring the replacement of retiring taxicab vehicles with the Nissan NV200 ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’.
This milestone, which officially makes the NV200 the taxicab of New York City, comes after a rigorous review and competitive selection process, the automaker said. The regulation sets a new standard for vehicles operating on the streets of New York, beginning in October 2013, and will significantly improve the overall fuel efficiency of New York’s taxi fleet.
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The exclusive agreement begins in late 2013, when the first Nissan taxis will hit the New York streets, and lasts for a decade. Powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder engine, the NV200 is designed to reduce carbon emissions and enhance fuel efficiency across the entire taxi fleet, as old models are replaced.
“Nissan is appreciative of the opportunity to provide the City of New York with the next-generation of its iconic yellow taxi,” said Joe Castelli, vice president, commercial vehicles and fleet, Nissan North America.
Nissan is in the process of conducting extensive testing for the NV200 Taxi prior to the vehicle going on sale, both at its test centres and on New York city streets. Additionally, the Taxi of Tomorrow will be the first New York taxi to be crash-tested with taxi equipment installed, including the partition.
Nissan has also partnered with Braun, the world leader in automotive mobility products, to develop, engineer and produce a wheelchair-accessible taxi in New York. Drawing on Braun’s innovation and experience in the mobility industry, Nissan will offer a mobility option to New York taxi medallion holders when the taxis go on sale in 2013.
Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:
- Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models
- Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit
- Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city
- Opening side windows
- Independently controlled rear air conditioning
- Active carbon lined headliner to help neutralise interior odours
- Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings
- A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports
- Breathable, antimicrobial, environment-friendly, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather
- Flat “no hump” passenger floor area for more comfortable ride
Other features include a ‘low-annoyance’ horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, USB auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver, standard navigation system with integrated rearview backup monitor, hearing loop system for the hearing impaired, and driver and passenger intercom.
The NV200 Taxi will be produced in North America at Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be US$29,700.
How it happened: In 2007, city officials convened a group, including representatives of taxi drivers, owners and passengers, to create a set of goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow, the result of a groundbreaking effort by the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission to re-imagine the entire taxi system – including the vehicle – for the 21st century. In December 2009, the TLC issued a “request for proposals,” inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab. At the end of the evaluation, the NV200 was selected and will be the next New York City taxicab for 10 years, beginning in 2013.
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