Goodbye to the Big Apple's beloved yellow checker cab...hello to the smart, sexy, new taxi of tomorrow
It remains one of the most enduring symbols of New York. But the iconic yellow cab is about to have a dramatic makeover.
The yellow checker cab is being replaced with a smarter and sexier model for the 21st Century. The Turkish-made Karsan V1 is favourite to take over from its gas-guzzling predecessors.
There are currently more than 16 different cab models driving around the streets of the Big Apple, but by 2013 there will be only one type of taxi for customers.
Taxi of Tomorrow: Karsan USA have unveiled their innovative design to become New York's only taxi
Three models have been short-listed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission - the Ford Transit Connect, the Nissan NV200 and the Karsan V1 - though they said they may not choose any of the three.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: 'The city has never before worked with the auto industry to design one taxicab specifically for the city, until now.
'Each of the designs are promising, but none is perfect. We are not obliged to go with anything if it does not meet our needs.'
The Turkish model was presented to New Yorkers in Manhattan in an attempt to draw more supporters - and their enthusiastic response means they are ready for the change.
Spacious interior: The glass roof allows panoramic views of the New York city skyline, right, with the checker-style jump seat allowing ample room for passengers, wheelchairs, strollers, bicycles and luggage
The Karsan's creators have taken great pride in the fact the taxi can load and carry passengers in wheel chairs without having to be modified - a major advantage, taking into account that of the 13,000 taxis in New York, only 300 can carry wheelchairs.
In December 2009, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission asked for tenders from car manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as the city's number one taxicab.
Changing times: The Karsin V1 could replace the iconic checker cab being the only taxi design from 2013
The winning design will have the opportunity to be picked for other cities throughout the U.S.
THE NEW-LOOK TAXI'S SPECS
- 2.4litre, four-cylinder engine
- Panoramic glass roof to enjoy the New York city skyline
- Wheelchair ramp mounted underneath the taxi's body, can be deployed on either side
- Doors open to 90-degree angles
- Digital sign to establish if the taxi is in use and which side passengers are exiting from
- Spacious interior to allow room for bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs and luggage
- Can accommodate up to four passengers
- Rear leg room is more than 40 inches, double that of the Crown Victoria
- Can accommodate a hybrid or electric powertrain and can run on compressed natural gas
William Wachtel, president of Karsan USA, said: 'The time has come for there to be a light-duty urban transit vehicle embracing the concept of uniformity that the London cab has presented for decades.
'This taxi is all about comfort, access, sustainability and durability. The Karsan V1 has been specifically designed and engineered to be a New York City taxi.
'It will be the first purpose-designed taxi in New York since the beloved Checker, and has specific features to meet the needs of passengers, the disabled, drivers and taxi owners.'
Mr Wachtel said the car could also include a rooftop solar panel and a voice recognition system that would translate a cabbie’s words into text on a screen to assist deaf passengers.
He declined to give the name of the American manufacturer that provided the 2.4litre, four cylinder engine or to provide a price for the taxi.
But he did pledge to bring it into the country at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
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