New York 2012: Nissan NV200 Taxi: Comments

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 3, 2012

At this week's New York Auto Show, Nissan will unveil the production model of the NV200 Taxi. The vehicle, which was chosen as New York City's new taxi, will go into service next year.

The NV200 can take four passengers (three in the back, one in the front). Back seat passengers can take advantage of a charging station for their electronics, which includes one 12-volt outlet and a pair of USB ports. Back seat passengers also get a transparent panel to view the sky and climate control.

For the taxi driver, the NV200 taxi gets a standard navigation system and rearview camera.

Power comes from a 2.0L four-cylinder engine with unknown horsepower.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Nissan Taxi of Tomorrow Makes World Debut on Eve of 2012 New York International Auto Show

-Available for public viewing beginning April 6

-Driver and passenger input informs key vehicle features

-Coming to New York City streets next year

New York (April 3, 2012) – Each day, 600,000 New Yorkers hop in the back of a taxi – the iconic yellow cab that is a symbol of New York City around the world. Starting today, the first full vehicle prototype of the Taxi of Tomorrow can be seen by drivers, passengers and owners. The 2014 Nissan NV200 taxi, New York's Taxi of Tomorrow, will make its global debut tonight at a special event in SoHo with Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn and New York City officials.

Following the event, the Taxi of Tomorrow is headed to the 2012 New York International Auto Show, where it will be on display for New Yorkers and visitors from around the world. The auto show at the Jacob Javits Center is open to the public April 6-15.

"We're proud to introduce a new era of urban mobility to New York with the Nissan NV200 Taxi – New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow," Ghosn said. "The exclusive Taxi of Tomorrow draws on Nissan's global experience in commercial vehicles, as well as insight from New York City taxi drivers and passengers, who helped identify important improvements over today's cabs. The Nissan taxi will deliver unprecedented levels of innovation and comfort to New York's 600,000 daily taxi riders."

After a rigorous, two-year competitive bid selection process, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 Taxi in May 2011 as the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013. The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Design Trust for Public Space and Smart Design also have engaged with Nissan and the TLC in the vehicle's design.

"The Nissan NV 200 unveiled today will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers."

Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:

• Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models

• Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit

• Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city

• Opening side windows

• Independently controlled rear air conditioning

• Active Carbon Lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors

• Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings

• A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports

• Breathable, antimicrobial, environment-friendly, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather

• Flat "no hump" passenger floor area for more comfortable ride

Other notable vehicle features are:

• Proven 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet

• 150,000 mile powertrain warranty

• A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, so the horn is used less frequently. A 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed

• Unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow

• USB Auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver

• Standard navigation system with integrated rearview backup monitor

• Hearing Loop System for the hearing impaired

• Driver and passenger intercom system

• Pre-wiring for taxi T-PEP system

In addition, important safety features of the Taxi of Tomorrow include:

• Only taxi ever to be safety tested and certified with full taxi partition

• Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row

• Standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control

• Sliding doors to lessen risk of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists getting struck by doors opening unexpectedly

• Lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening

With more than 13,000 taxis traveling a cumulative 500 million miles per year, building a taxi with the utmost durability is critical to the development process. Drawing on its full range of commercial vehicle experience – including providing taxis for municipalities around the world – Nissan will conduct significant validation testing for the Nissan NV200 Taxi prior to the vehicle going on sale. Additionally, as acknowledged by Mayor Bloomberg during the May 2011 announcement, the Taxi of Tomorrow will be the first New York taxi to be crash-tested with taxi equipment installed, including the partition.

Nissan has also partnered with the Braun Corp., the world leader in automotive mobility products, to develop, engineer and produce a creative solution for a wheelchair-accessible taxi in New York. Drawing on Braun's innovation and experience in the mobility industry, Nissan will offer a mobility solution to New York taxi medallion holders when the taxis go on sale in 2013.

As part of the Taxi of Tomorrow program, Nissan is also working with the City and taxi owners on a pilot program to study the use of zero-emission, electric vehicles as taxis. Nissan will provide six 100-percent electric Nissan LEAFs and three Level 2 charging stations at no charge to taxi owners and New York City to test the electrification of the taxi fleet.

The Nissan NV200 Taxi will be produced in North America at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700.

To stay informed on news and events related to Taxi of Tomorrow, follow it on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/taxioftomorrow or visit www.taxioftomorrow.com.

About Taxi of Tomorrow

In 2007, City officials convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owners and passengers, to create a set of goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow. Taxi of Tomorrow was the result of a groundbreaking effort by the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission to re-imagine the entire taxi system – including the vehicle – for the 21st century. In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab. At the end of the evaluation, the Nissan NV200 was selected and will be the next New York City taxicab for ten years, beginning in 2013.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow Specifications*

Wheelbase (inches): 115

Vehicle height (inches): 73

Vehicle length (inches): 186

Vehicle width (inches): 68

Engine displacement (L): 2.0

No. of cylinders: 4

Air quality emissions rating: EPA Tier II Bin 5

Driven axle: Front

Availability: Late 2013

Model year: 2014

Estimated base taxi MSRP: $29,700

Included standard features:

2.0L Engine, front wheel drive

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Power windows

Opening side windows

Power locks

Power heated mirrors

Cruise control

Front compartment A/C

Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, as well as seat-mounted airbags for the front row

Premium vinyl seat materials

6-way adjustable driver's seat

Driver adjustable lumbar

Driver navigation system

Driver and Passenger Intercom System

Hearing Loop System

Primary partition

Vinyl floor

Exterior graphics

Yellow exterior color

Medallion holder

Low-annoyance horn

Exterior and interior taxi lighting

2nd row 3-passenger bench seat

Panoramic glass roof panel

Rear A/C with rear controls

Active Carbon Lined headliner to neutralize interior odors

Rear passenger reading lamps

Rear passenger charging station with 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports

Sliding doors with passenger entry step and grab handles

*Information on this spec sheet is tentative until final design.

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[SAmadei]

Thoughts... wow, those three people sitting in the back better be friendly... those seats are NARROW.

The sunroof will give you a better view of the day traders falling from the skies when our financial systems crash again.

Finally, I think the sliding doors, while saving space, are going to result in more passengers getting hit by cars. Granted, there are taxis with sliding doors in operation in NYC right now, but they are in the minority. This NV200 is looking to become the dominant taxi, so other drivers are going to get used to driving closer to the sides of the taxis.

I still think Nissan blew it with this design... lopping a foot of overhang off the front would have allowed an extra taxi to fit in a NYC short block during gridlock conditions.

[pow]

The speckled floor and matching yellow stitching are nice touches. I do like how the divider window and fee meter are integrated into the design; doesn't look like afterthoughts.

The Transit Connect is cooler looking as a car, but this has way better passenger ingress/egress and space.

[G. David Felt]

Ugly, small taxi that does nothing for NY or it's image. Tends to say cheap to me and with their sewege problem on rainy days, NY can just float away with this ugly vehicle. So much better american options and they choose to send the hard working tax dollars over seas. NY deserves this uglyness with the way they over charge people who visit.

[smk4565]

I think it is excellent. You take 212 inch long Crown Vics off the road getting 15 mpg, and replace with a 186 inch van with more interior space and perhaps 25 mpg. Less congestion, less pollution, less fuel consumption. And I like the interior with the TV screen in back and the low-annoyance horn.

[balthazar]

It's not going to get 25 slogging thru NYC.

[Robert Hall]

I'm surprised it's not a hybrid. I'm surprised Toyota hasn't developed a taxi-oriented minivan based off the Prius...regular Priuses are pretty widely used here as a taxis.

[pow]

Down the road they're going to also make an EV version with the Leaf's powertrain.

[Robert Hall]

Down the road they're going to also make an EV version with the Leaf's powertrain.

Makes sense..