Meet the new NYC taxi.

[ifcar]

Yeah, but imagine the used market flooded with taxi-spec E-Classes.

[sportyaccordy]

Yeah, but imagine the used market flooded with taxi-spec E-Classes.

That could be a good thing...for consumers

[L. ed foote]

I wonder what kind of bribes had to extended to NYC officials to get that little shit box selected.     

Dunno, but it should be noted that NYPD has a few Nissan police cars in service.

[L. ed foote]

It's going to need goodly amounts of spare horsepower to drive the arse-kicking air conditioning that deals with 100 degree New York summer afternoons.

Those are few and far in between. At any rate, there are already Toyota Siennas and Honda Odysseys in livery garb around here.

[sportyaccordy]

Those are few and far in between. At any rate, there are already Toyota Siennas and Honda Odysseys in livery garb around here.

Yea but those have the big V6s I think. This thing is gonna need some help

[ifcar]

That could be a good thing...for consumers

Not those who buy new Mercedeses and see the resale plummet, or who see the lease rates increase.

[Madman]

NYC screwed up big time.  Don't they know that the world's best taxi is readily available?...............

[the Teuton]

Isn't that made by a Chinese manufacturer?

[L. ed foote]

Yea but those have the big V6s I think. This thing is gonna need some help

Eh, not really. Maybe a few months in the winter, that's about it. I would wager a majority of work a NYC yellow cab does is short runs here and there.

[Galaxy]

I think they would cheapen the MB brand, seriously. MB has curated their image in such a way that seeing them used for plebeian tasks would be considered degrading.

I raise you...

[Madman]

Isn't that made by a Chinese manufacturer?

No.

London Taxis International (LTI) is owned by Manganese Bronze Holdings, a publically traded company based in Coventry, England, where the LTI taxis are built.  MBH also operates a joint venture facility with Geely Automobile to produce taxis in China.

LTI website:
http://www.london-taxis.co.uk/index.jsp

Manganese Bronze Holdings website:
http://www.manganese.com/

[Vinsanity]

Dunno, but it should be noted that NYPD has a few Nissan police cars in service.

Altimas? Maximas?

I actually think it would be cool to see an XTerra in police livery

[L. ed foote]

Altimas?

Yes. Altima hybrids.



http://www.nissanpedia.org/nypd-altima-hybrids-fight-crime-pollution/

[ifcar]

There are also plenty of Japanese-made cabs on the streets now -- Siennas, Altimas, Camrys and Priuses. IIRC, the Escape Hybrid and Crown Victoria are the only U.S. makes currently represented.

[hounddog]

There are some Chargers and Magnums, and a few Exploders as well.

I suspect we will see some Tauruses thrown in.  ?

[the Teuton]

Does Bloomberg own stock in Nissan?

[AutobahnSHO]

Sienna sucks. Try a C-Max.

Mazda 5?

[L. ed foote]

Does Bloomberg own stock in Nissan?

It wouldn't surprise me if that were the case.

There's a clean air initiative going on, which means you'll see more hybrids on the streets in livery of the various NYC departments.

[cawimmer430]

The Econic is so hot. 

[2o6]

Isn't that made by a Chinese manufacturer?

Made, but not owned by. Sort of a joint venture.

[hounddog]

Yes. Altima hybrids.



http://www.nissanpedia.org/nypd-altima-hybrids-fight-crime-pollution/

NYC must self insure. 

If they are self insure, I am surprised the union would agree to a non-police package certified vehicle for patrol with all the liability suits these days.  I have a hard time believing an underwriter would be ok with it either.

BTW, "built in laptop" what a bunch of bunk.  

[cawimmer430]

BTW, "built in laptop" what a bunch of bunk. 

Cops need porn to. 

[ifcar]

NYC must self insure. 

If they are self insure, I am surprised the union would agree to a non-police package certified vehicle for patrol with all the liability suits these days.  I have a hard time believing an underwriter would be ok with it either.

BTW, "built in laptop" what a bunch of bunk. 

Maybe because they're only needed for low-speed use? How often will an NYC police car break 50 mph?

[Atomic]

This was dumb. The Ford is US made, and the Turkish make looked incredibly interesting and forward thinking to the challenge.

This is just a Nissan Van painted yellow.

usa today reported (this past week) this van will eventually be fitted with a nissan leaf-like electric engine... something that either will or may be required of nyc taxi cabs and perhaps patrol cars in "the city" statring in 2013... not that far off. the nissan van will also have a large glass roof for sightseeing... a more tourist friendly vehicle than the ford and other competitors... i also read somewhere that fiat will provide chrysler, dodge or (probably) ram with a strong alternative for families, businesses and fleets within the next year... it was out of the running based on timing...

[L. ed foote]

NYC must self insure.  

If they are self insure, I am surprised the union would agree to a non-police package certified vehicle for patrol with all the liability suits these days.  I have a hard time believing an underwriter would be ok with it either.

IIRC, NYPD is self insured.

As for the vehicles, from the link above;

?The NYPD embraces innovation when it doesn?t compromise performance or safety to our personnel and the public,? said Commissioner Kelly. ?We want to get the most mileage out of technology where it makes sense ? with the addition of these hybrids, we?re doing that literally.?

While the Altima hybrids are the first alternate fuel vehicles to be used as regular police cars, the NYPD already uses hybrid vehicles in its parking enforcement fleet as well as electric scooters. The Police Department also has 10 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUVs employed by NYPD Duty Captains for marked patrol. Additionally, police officers utilize T-3 personal movers in city parks, stadiums and beaches. The Nissan Altima Hybrids account for 40 of over 100 total hybrid vehicles the Department is expected to deploy this year.

The Nissan Altima Hybrids were acquired earlier this year following evaluation and testing by the Police Department?s Fleet Services Division and Driver Training Unit. At $25,391 per vehicle, the Altima hybrids cost about $1,500 more than the conventional Impala. At 35 miles per gallon for city driving, the hybrid Altima gets double the gas mileage of the Impala, which gets only 16 miles per gallon. The Altima hybrids, manufactured in Smyrna, Tennessee and outfitted with equipment specialized for patrol, will be used in addition to the Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Crown Victoria. The Department also uses Dodge Chargers, mainly for highway patrol. As with all hybrid technology vehicles, the Altima switches between gasoline engine and electric motor. After a year of monitoring the vehicles performance the Department will determine whether to further expand them into the fleet. The Nissan Altima Hybrids will bring to over 170 the total number of hybrid vehicles the Department is expected to deploy this year.

[cawimmer430]

You know what would also be good for NY?

This:



They're becoming more popular as taxis in Munich. FWD means more rear leg space (and the B-Class is already very spacious back there) and they're quite roomy to begin with. And in CDI form they're very economical. For a dedicated B-Class taxi a hybrid setup would make even more sense.

[2o6]

You know what would also be good for NY?

This:



They're becoming more popular as taxis in Munich. FWD means more rear leg space (and the B-Class is already very spacious back there) and they're quite roomy to begin with. And in CDI form they're very economical. For a dedicated B-Class taxi a hybrid setup would make even more sense.

NYC cabs have partitions, and that eats up a fair amount of legroom. You'd have to have a LWB B-class, and there are more cars that can offer that with more space and cheaper. (Small Vans)

[Mustangfan2003]

So if Bloomberg was to become president is he going to ride in some sort of stretched Infiniti?   

[the Teuton]

So if Bloomberg was to become president is he going to ride in some sort of stretched Infiniti?   

He'll bring back the Nissan President (Q45).



Duh.

[L. ed foote]

So if Bloomberg was to become president is he going to ride in some sort of stretched Infiniti?   

IIRC he uses Suburbans now, I don't think that'd change