The famous black cabs that move people around London are set to get a very green upgrade in a couple of years. The London Taxi Company, which is owned by Geely, is launching a new plug-in model called the TX5. Powered by an electric motor and a gasoline engine range extender, the vehicles are set to go on sale in the UK at the end of 2017, and introduce it to international markets in 2018.
The TX5 design concept want capture the spirit of past generations of LTC models such as the Fairway series and draws on more than sixty years of style that has made the Black Cab an iconic sight on the streets of London. The creation of the TX5 was overseen by British designers Pete Horbury – former chief designer at Volvo and head of design at Ford in Detroit – and David Ancona, another former Volvo chief designer.
"We were acutely aware of the huge responsibility that comes with introducing a new generation of design for what is already an instantly recognisable and iconic vehicle," said Horbury in a statement. "We wanted to retain those aspects that make the London taxi what it is and what it stands for, while ensuring that the new design reflects everything that a 21st-century vehicle needs to be."
While maintaining recognisable key features, the new zero emission capable TX5 has been updated, although the cab is slightly taller and longer than its predecessors, the design team referenced some of the 1958 Austin FX4 model's classic features in the new model. All of the cars will be equipped with WiFi capability and will provide charging points for both drivers and passengers.
The hybrid TX5 replaces the black cab's usual diesel engine, instead running on a batter-powered electric system with a four-cylinder petrol engine that kicks in once this has been drained.
