Monday 12th April 2010

Forever Englon - Geely's New 'Black Cab'

Chinese TXN concept could be the new face of London taxis

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The Englon TXN - from Geely

A new version of the iconic TX4 London black cab will be revealed at the Beijing motorshow later this month.

The Englon TXN, clumsily rendered into a 'typical' London street scene in these teaser pics, bears at least a passing resemblance to its predecessor. Well, it's black, and it looks a bit old-fashioned.

Inside, there's a big plexi-glass partition to put your driver out of range of knife-wielding assailants on trips sarf of the river, and what looks like space for a wheelchair up front.

Will the TXN be heading to the UK anytime soon? We don't know, but as Geely is currently engaged in a takeover of Manganese Bronze (the company which builds the TX4 and which recently began relocating major elements of production to China), it could be on the cards.

[Ceylon]

Looks like a mini on steroids. Small boot then!

[edo]

Looks like a (st) Rolls Royce rip off.

[Hugo a Gogo]

looks like a smaller MINI

[Escort Si-130]

It looks a bit liek a Mini from the rear,not impressed at all. It doesnt even bear any resemblence to the Fairway, TX1,2 or 4.

[BenHodgson]

How many different cars have 'inspired' that design? Back end is Mini meets Fiat 500. Front end looks a touch like the new Mulsanne got it on with a Q7.

Not a massive fan, but if it has the turning circle and the economy I'm sure the cabbies will love it. Certainly looks more likely to catch on than that Merc 7-seater that is advertised on the tube as being the new black cab.

[monkey11477]

Looks ugly but since I'm normally pissed when I get in one the beer googles may make it look better looking

[james_tigerwoods]

I wonder how many design cues we can find in this?

I see Mini/Fabia at the back, PT Cruiser/Cayenne in the middle and Rolls/Fiat 500 at the front.

I wonder how many companies would be able to sue of copyright/design infringement...

[lionrampant]

MEIN EYES!

[GingerMunky]

james_tigerwoods said:

I wonder how many design cues we can find in this?

I see Mini/Fabia at the back, PT Cruiser/Cayenne in the middle and Rolls/Fiat 500 at the front.

I wonder how many companies would be able to sue of copyright/design infringement...

I wonder how many companies could get copyright infringement to stick on any chinese company that doesn't give an F about copyright. They just don't care because they just can't get sued. I wish our government would give our companies that kind of impunity.

[Beefmeister]

Sweet baby Jesus.

I used to work for London Taxis International as a design engineer, then London Taxis R&D and was part of the team who sent all the CAD data to China.

We had a fully worked out concept as a replacement for the TX4, and it was great looking. A modern interpretation of the classic cab, with plastic body panels and a hybrid drivetrain.

This is just a bloody abomination. Horrible.

Also, it was inevitable that jobs would be lost, but it's still a shame, the line workers were a great bunch of guys. What sucks is that there hasn't been a massive price drop now its built in China...

[soad]

edo said:

Looks like a (st) Rolls Royce rip off.

Yes - ugly as sin to boot. Do chinese rip off most car designs then?

Edited for spelling

Edited by soad on Monday 12th April 14:46

[hairyben]

Wow, like said, how generic.

Doesn't look big (long) enough for a london taxi though.

[10JH]

Looks like the Bentley Mulsanne -

[Idiot Gimp Boy]

Englon Made Me.

[james_tigerwoods]

The Crack Fox said:

Beefmeister said:

Sweet baby Jesus.

I used to work for London Taxis International as a design engineer, then London Taxis R&D and was part of the team who sent all the CAD data to China.

We had a fully worked out concept as a replacement for the TX4, and it was great looking. A modern interpretation of the classic cab, with plastic body panels and a hybrid drivetrain.

This is just a bloody abomination. Horrible.

Also, it was inevitable that jobs would be lost, but it's still a shame, the line workers were a great bunch of guys. What sucks is that there hasn't been a massive price drop now its built in China...

What I don't understand is, WHY send it to China ? No-one else makes anything like the TX4, so surely they can charge a fair price and therefore avoid sending it to China for production ? OK, production in China for Chinese customers makes sense, but why shut the UK ? I don't see the logic. We're going to end up with no R&D or Manufacturing capability in this country before too long, what a shame !

Cost of production one assumes - Insist on the quality, but don't actually reduce the price which increases profit margins.

I think....

[SAndals]

Actually....I like it!

Thought it was as new Lancia tho.

[dhutch]

Cant say im a fan, its less cabby than the current one be a long stretch and i dont thing thats a good thing. The previous update was a cracker, this one, lacks effort and consideration.

However, i guess, if its got the turning circle, internal space, boot capacity, a bombproof engine and transmission it will work.


Daniel

[djt100]

Looks like that ugly Mini Crossover thing....yuk!

[vz-r_dave]

To all of those who are saying that its horrible and ugly. Lets out things into perspective, it is a bloody taxi. Its not exactly like the current one's are lookers is it? lol I look at and think, looks like it could take a a few hits, loads of room inside, nice wheel chair access. You just cant please some people haha

[JamesJTS]

"Actually....I like it!

Thought it was as new Lancia tho."

I agree, the back end looks a lot like the latest Delta.

That 'Death Proof' driver compartment looks a bit unnerving