New York City picks Nissan minivan as next taxi cab

[Hitch78]

A dull but worthy winner.

[davepoth]

Interesting that they went for diesels though - it's a big thing for America.

[Ricky_M]

Turbodiesel1690 said:

Anyone know what lump the new Nissan has?

British spec is available with a 1.5 Dci or 1.6 16v Petrol.

I had one for work for a short while. Very bumpy ride, huge blindspots. But it was nippy enough and averaged 46-50MPG in a variety of driving with two passengers and the rear filled with tools.

[anonymous-user]

Johnboy Mac said:

Opting for the Nissan (no doubt very good) really sums up the U.S. home grown motor industry. A sad day imo but a fair reflection.

Meanwhile, back in UK.....

[BBS-LM]

5 USA said:

Johnboy Mac said:

Opting for the Nissan (no doubt very good) really sums up the U.S. home grown motor industry. A sad day imo but a fair reflection.

Meanwhile, back in UK.....

Meanwhile, back in Noddy Land...

[Papa Hotel]

BBS-LM said:

5 USA said:

Johnboy Mac said:

Opting for the Nissan (no doubt very good) really sums up the U.S. home grown motor industry. A sad day imo but a fair reflection.

Meanwhile, back in UK.....

Meanwhile, back in Noddy Land...

Hilarious, isn't it? A car that meets its brief perfectly...

[eldar]

Papa Hotel said:

Hilarious, isn't it? A car that meets its brief perfectly...

Apart from being expensive, unreliable an 20 years behind current technology. Could be good, but isn't thanks to lack of vision.

[Blakewater]

Japanese MPVs have been used as NYC taxis for a while now. The Toyota Sienna, Isuzu Oasis and Honda Odyssey. They're only licensed to carry five passengers even though they'll fit six. If the driver carries more than five people he can be arrested.

[jbi]

eldar said:

Apart from being expensive, unreliable an 20 years behind current technology. Could be good, but isn't thanks to lack of vision.

Things might pick up now the Chinese have cozied up to Manganese Bronze.

They are hoping to take over the Chinese taxi market, so expect plenty of investment from Geely

[anonymous-user]

I like the video, although think the dude is mistaken in his support for the Crown Victoria.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12094378

The new Mercedes van cabs in London are more comfortable than the TX cabs, which still suffer from having the passenger bench located over the rear axle.

[Scrambled]

One NYC company only uses the Prius and the cabs I was in, the drivers were raving about them. Rental per week was down and they were making more money. The downside is the cost to fix them but that is down to the companies who own them; NYC cabs are on the roads 24 hours so problems need to be turned around quickly and cheaply which is not easy with new cars, especially the prius, while the crown vic just needs a lump hammer.

[sjg]

All the taxis I took in SF were Prius, drivers were generally very happy with them - they even get decent mpg with a typical taxi driver binary gas-brake-gas-brake driving style. Lots in Aus/NZ too.

[sday12]

Breadvan73 said:

think the dude is mistaken in his support for the Crown Victoria.

I doubt you can do the NY avenue dragstrip 0-60 off the lights in 8 secs, sliding around an 8ft bench seat in the back of Nissan.

[anonymous-user]

You forget to mention the bouncing your head off the ceiling when you hit the manhole cover.

That said, I shall miss the old cabs. One of my most romantic memories is of thrumming through Central Park one sunny May morning in the back of a big wallowy NYC cab, surrounded by posh shopping bags and, erm, necking with a gorgeous redhead whom I should have followed when she moved back to LA.

Edited by Breadvan73 on Thursday 5th May 08:19

[jaymzfc]

Not just the UK, we just got some of these in Malta



Pretty cool actually.

[daydotz]

is it me or or does anyone else think a nissan with a small french engine isnt going to be tough enough for the Americans ?

Edited by daydotz on Thursday 5th May 16:24

[Citman]

Everything I've seen about them suggests that it's a 2.0 petrol engine, not diesel - well, it's described as "gas" in the various US-based websites.

[Cyder]

Citman said:

Everything I've seen about them suggests that it's a 2.0 petrol engine, not diesel - well, it's described as "gas" in the various US-based websites.

That's what I've seen as well.

[jbi]

daydotz said:

is it me or or does anyone else think a nissan with a small french engine isnt going to be tough enough for the Americans ?

Edited by daydotz on Thursday 5th May 16:24

Quite a lot of unhappy Americans judging by various the forums... apparently certain officials are pushing for an inquest.