Volkswagen’s electric Milano Taxi concept

Now, that's just too cool....
This is the taxi of the future, according to Volkswagen. VW, which will launch its first production electric vehicles in 2013 has shown this electric driven taxi at the Hanover Trade Show. Called the Milano Taxi concept, it is a city MPV tailored to the needs of taxi drivers and passengers with innovative details such as a swivel-sliding door that opens in a forward direction and customisable taxi touchscreens.

The green and black paint of the concept cab is a tribute to the fashion capital of Milan, where taxis were once painted like this. VW says that the Milano’s styling bears similarities to the iconic Volkswagen Samba Bus of the 1950s, and this plus its emissions-free drive and practicality could “make it a highly coveted vehicle in cities like New York and Tokyo”.

“One door less is all the more for a taxi,” said Walter de Silva, VW Group’s Head of Design. The safest way to enter and exit a taxi is on the sidewalk side, which explains why the LHD Milano’s single swivel-sliding door opens on the right side. The door also extends well into the roof, so the opening is very tall. The Milano’s dimensions is 1.60 m tall, 3.73 m long and 1.66 m wide. Like the Samba Bus, the outer roof areas are transparent; combined with a panoramic glass roof, passengers get a spacious feel and great views of the cityscape above.

Also, the need for passengers to always have to gaze at the taximeter in front to see the current charges is now a thing of the past (the meter in our Proton Iswara cabs are always conveniently shielded by the gear stick!). An 8-inch touchscreen in the Milano’s rear not only displays charges, but incorporates a credit card reader as well!

This cute cab has a top speed of 120 km/h and is driven by an electric motor with 85 kW (50 kW continuous power) powered by a lithium-ion battery located underfloor. VW says that the battery’s storage capacity of 45 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the Milano’s relatively low weight (1,500 kg) allows it to cover distances of up to 300 km. The battery can be recharged to 80% capacity in just over one hour.

Source (check it out with more pic's);
http://paultan.org/2010/04/21/volkswagens-electric-milano-taxi-concept-is-very-cool/

Honda Launches Insight and Civic Sedan Hybrid Taxis in Europe

Honda UK
Most, if not all taxis on the other side of the pond run on diesel or LPG, but Honda believes it might be able to convince some European cabbies to try out its Insight and Civic mild-hybrid models. Both cars come in appropriate exterior colors and are equipped with pre-installed roof brackets and a mounting for the taxi-meter on the dashboard as well as some other special equipment such as heavy duty floor mats.

In the European driving cycle, the Insight achieves a combined fuel rating of 4.4 lt/100km (53.5 mpg US) while the Civic Hybrid, 4.9 lt /100km (48 mpg US).

Prices in Germany start from €15,990 for the Insight and from €17,990 for the Civic Hybrid (about US$22,000 and $24,700 at today's exchange rates) with Honda offering upon request, a warranty extension to 3 years or 300,000km, whichever comes first.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/02/honda-launches-insight-and-civic-sedan.html

Honda Accord Tourer Taxi Cab: You Won't Be Seeing this Acura in the States

While Acura has confirmed that it will bring the European Honda Accord Tourer to the U.S. as the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon in fall 2010 (the Euro Accord and the TSX are virtually one and the same), it's highly unlikely that you'll ever see one in a yellowish finish with a Taxi roof sign. But if you're planning a trip to Germany, you might very well be able to hitch a ride on a Accord Tourer Taxi - that is, if you manage to spot one among all the Mercs.

The Euro-spec model is powered by a 2.2-liter i-DTEC four-cylinder diesel that delivers an output of 150 horsepower and 350Nm or 258 lb-ft of peak torque returning a combined fuel economy of 6.6 lt/100 or 35.7mpg US in the European cycle.

The new Accord Tourer Elegance cab comes equipped with a taximeter case, wireless telephone pre-installation and special brackets for the taxi sign while the station wagon's standard features include an electric tailgate, cruise control, leather steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, MP3-capable CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The taxi version of the Accord Tourer is available for order now in Germany with pricing set at €20,690 or at today's exchange rates, US$29,800.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/12/honda-accord-tourer-taxi-cab-you-won-be.html