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Could London's ubiquitous Black Cab soon be replaced with Mercedes-Benz vans? If EcoCity Vehicles, a British firm involved in taxi preparation, has its way, the answer is yes. Through its KPM subsidiary, EcoCity plans on offering a taxi version of Mercedes-Benz's Vito minivan. EcoCity claims the Vito is a more efficient and "greener" option than the traditional London cab, but hopes the Vito's other strengths - passenger comfort and cargo capacity - will help it compete against taxi manufacturer Carbodies Limited. Carbodies' current offering, the TX4, is the descendant of the original Austin FX4 cab and presently monopolizes London's taxi fleets.
Changes we expect to see for the Vito taxi include a driver's partition, a roof-mounted occupancy lamp, and a ramp and tie-down provisions for wheelchairs - a legal requirement in London since 2000.
Although current Vitos are equipped with Mercedes-Benz's 2.2-liter turbo-diesel I-4, we're waiting to hear just how "green" these taxis are. EcoCity claims the vans create less carbon dioxide emissions than the 2.5-liter turbodiesel I-4 in the TX4, but the exact figures won't be announced until the Vito's launch next weekend.
Source: The Telegraph
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