Most people will be familiar with the London Taxi Company (LTC), and the iconic black cabs that are seen around the city. By the end of Q4 2017, the latest iteration of the taxi – the TX5 – will go on sale but before that, the company is making sure its upcoming vehicle is ready and up to the task.
This involves taking the range-extended electric vehicle to the extreme desert heat of Arizona in the United States. Extreme climate testing is important to prove not just the considerable distance the taxi can cover whilst subjected to demanding conditions, but also that it meets the requirements and climates (including winter) of cities all around the world.
According to LTC, the prototype TX5 successfully undertook daily journeys of 482 km, which is triple the average daily mileage of a typical London cab, and equivalent to driving from Heathrow to central London some 20 times.
The TX5 uses a three-cylinder gasoline engine from Volvo as a generator for a large battery pack, which powers the electric motors. It also offers a pure-EV range of up to 112 km should you rely on a charge from the plug. The electric model was developed to meet new London regulations that will be enforced on January 1, 2018, where any new taxi being presented for approval by the government must be capable of 48 km of electric-only driving and have CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.
Aside from its powertrain, the TX5 offers sitting for up to six passengers, is fully wheelchair compatible and there’s also a panoramic glass roof, the latter likely not so practical in the desert. Other requirements include luggage capacity located beside the driver and a small turning circle.
“Since announcing this project we have had considerable interest not just from European cities but hot weather cities around the world. To convert this interest into sales we must prove TX5 can perform as well in the 45 °C heat of Dubai as it can in the sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic, and as it does in the changeable conditions of London,” said Chris Gubbey, CEO of the London Taxi Company.
As a refresher, Geely currently owns the British company, and has invested 250 million pounds to develop and manufacture the TX5 at a new factory at Ansty, Coventry, which will also incorporate Geely’s UK R&D headquarters.
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Pls learn how to spell England. You are part of our Alumni
Apa penda ni? Cakap pasal UFO dan mahluk asing?
Is this a car blog or a blog that talks about Aliens and UFO?
I belip Aliens are coming. Dun say i didn’t warn u…
this alien theory guy should get a life! no life?
So many alien bashers here…
caveman eja Ingland cam ni
I like this teksi, is has big space.
They probably have plans to sell it overseas, nobody design a car and only made it available in 1 country. Since it is an ‘icon’, if possible, other countries might be interested. So, use some brain cells before you bash.
The taxi camouflaged with round circles to confused aliens kah?
Your tin milo junk isn’t worthy to serve London, not even chosen over this great tongsan car.
No stone left unturned, even go to desert to prove its quality.
London Taxi Company > all
Volvo > all
Aik. Tetiba bash P1 pulak. Is this real tokmoh?
Typo. Shud be basher frendly P2.
Fuel saving > all
Car can fly > all
RV > all
Celu jepunis smell > all
Deathtrap = Taboleh persoal
Siapa disagree, means sapot P1.
Sapot john, sapot P1, sapot…
Not fuel saving
Car can’t run
No RV
Bazaar Ramadan smell
Deathtrap = Taboleh persoal?
Oh wai…
So many P1 sapoters ni…
Hide yo kids, Tok Moh is back at it again!
All > Tok Moh
quality of our leaders today…talking about aliens.
quality of our leaders….talking about alien…
quality of our leaders….talking about aliens…
what crap you talking about aliens? Caveman alien ah?
Even Neil Armstrong said there are aliens so…
And oso habislah colonial overlord! Later London made in China then ship to London for sell. Nanti mcm London dah skru London.
£1 = RM5.50 No problemo.
Brapa in RMB?
Brapa in Lotus?
RMB higher than RM. Ringgit tak ada nilai lagi
I hope people talk about cars here and not about aliens. This is a car site not UFO Paranormal site.
apa benda cakap London skru?
London Taxi Company was near bankruptcy. Luckily, Geely is transforming it. Hopefully our Proton also gets transformed. Hope Geely puts a person from mainland as the Proton CEO. Then transformation will be fast.
Perhaps ah long geely can help proton by letting saga n persona to be london taxi instead. Well n truely tested work horse. Just paint it black n ready to go.
Finally, a half-cook comment that is useful for other by the great Kurap. But please use ur brain more. Tell us exactly how, a 49% share holder will able to control whos going to be the CEO? Oh and for everyone to know, London Taxi Company HAS NEVER appointed any China ppl as their CEO even though they are practically the owner.
jangan bimbang. 51% mesti kowtow kepada 49%
Siapa pegang duit, dia itu boss.
Apa susah sangat? Just put Alien as CEO lah
let us hope Geely bring more staff from China to fill in the 49%.
12,000 workers in total. 49% is about 5800 workers. Let us hope Geely bring in 5800 workers from China
Proton apa lagi, assemble la? Retire Sagas, Personas, Preves and Exoras to this
Too big. And how does a SUV segment replace various MPV & sedan segments? Not same same.
I thought u compare MPV and SUV not too long ago? Hmm…
Which makes more sense?
SUV vs MPV
or
SUV vs 4door Sedan
People with too much pride will never achieve success. In fact their pride drives everything down to the grave. Better to be humble and learn from past mistakes. For London, at least the taxi service is maintained for the benefit of their citizens and the livehood of thousands of British drivers.
If u can’t be proud of Proton as taxi in Malaysia, u can’t be proud to be…
..prouder that we now have BMW trains.
In b4 Grabuberlyftblackdego mari. Then even London teksimen will follow their french kolik & do French Revo.
This seems like a direct competitor to Nissan NV200.
Geely can convert all local taxis here to use this model to have a cleaner environment. I join as UBER or GRAB driver.
That is a good idea. We can have them assembled at existing Proton facilities to replace all the told taxis in Malaysia.
The entire taxi industry would benefit from this, and it helps with employment of labour in the automotive sector through the assembly.
That goes without saying this needs government backing, no doubt. A stronger and more resilient taxi industry encourages more competition and in the end we all win
Why not consider kimchis as taxis?
Ford Telstar TX5
Faketaxi…. Desert versions
When we talk about taxi , grab and uber out of topic. Becos not kenderaan perkhidmatan awan. Goverment and tax cannot seperate ibarat irama and song. If seperit spad notting.
Apa hal Desert testing? Cuba try naik Genting dulu lah!