The
London Taxi TX4 from Geely Englon
Geely is the biggest shareholder in Magna Holdings, the maker
of the iconic TX4 London Taxi. Geely also makes the TX4 in China where it is
sold as Englon TX4, Englon means ‘England-London’. The TX4 sells mostly to taxi
companies but private buyers can get it too.
Those who have been to London may be impressed by the black
classic taxi shuttling through the streets. Known as Black Cab, it is regarded
as one of the cultural symbols in London and enjoys a reputation on a par with
the well-known brands including Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover, Bentley and
Morgan. The introduction of the TX4 cabs will add another British style scenery
to the city.
The first TX4 cabs are evolved from the classical black cabs
in London streets. Compared with other taxi models, quite a few advantages of
the cabs have been found by the test drivers.
One of its highlight is huge space. The car has two rows of
seats in the cage including three fixed seats in the back row and a folding
seat in the front row, in which there is comfortable seating for four people in
two opposed rows. In addition, a special place is left for the luggage and the
space is large enough to accommodate the luggage of the largest size.
Another highlight of the model lies in its outstanding
performance in ensuring the privacy of the passengers. A sound proof panel was
adopted between the driving cab and the cage, which prevents from "the
walls having ears" and effectively ensures the privacy of the passengers.
While in order to ensure the communication between the driver and the
passengers, an intercom device is also adopted.
Its user-friendly design also wins quite a few reputations
for the Englon TX4. The custom-oriented cab takes the demands of the special
groups including the old people, babies and disabled into consideration. Its
acres of space can accommodate the wheelchair and the pram and a wheelchair
ramp is also adopted for the convenience of the special groups. Its
user-friendly design also makes the cab unique among the taxies in the present
market.
Price starts at 208.000
yuan but this white example on pic costs 288.000 yuan.
It
is expensive because this ain’t no ordinary TX4. It is a super-luxury TX4
called ‘TX4 Custom’. Two captain-seats in the back, loads of leather, thick
carpet, booze-cabinet, hi-tech stereo-system, a fridge, and best of all: two
pairs of hotel-slippers! Not a concept, not some funny show-thing, it is for
very real and can be ordered right now.
Geely
did not forget about the chauffeur. Wood and more leather. Power comes from a
2.4 four-cylinder that poops out 152 Hp and 212 Nm, mated to a new 6-speed
automatic transmission, the standard TX4 has to do with a 5-speeder. Top speed
is a claimed 155 km/h.
Source
: Chinautoweb
