The All-New Electric powered TX5 London Taxi will gets a first Glance at this years Goodwood Show.

One of London Taxi Company (LTC)’s all-new range extended electric taxi test vehicles will feature in the ‘First Glance’ paddock at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week. This vehicle class showcases the latest prototype and concept vehicles from around manufacturers around the world.

Each day of the Festival, which runs from Thursday 29 June until Sunday 2 July, the electric taxi prototype will silently make the world famous Goodwood Hillclimb, making its world dynamic debut in front of some of the 200,000 visitors at the West Sussex motoring extravaganza.

Taking the wheel will be young racing driver, currently the fastest woman in the Ginetta championship, 17 year old Katie Milner – completing a trio of firsts for the London Taxi Company at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (FoS): the world dynamic debut of their electric taxi, the first taxi ever to feature on the famous ‘Hill’ and the youngest female driver ever to take part in the Hillclimb event.

Each day the electric taxi will also be presented on the live stage at the FoS Michelin Supercar Paddock, alongside some the fastest and most valuable cars on Earth. LTC have been invited to participate on this stage because of the taxi’s adaption of supercar manufacturing techniques. LTC’s extensive use of light weighting means that LTC can get the maximum distance out of the electric battery without impacting the strength and safety of the vehicle.

LTC’s appearance at FoS follows a rigorous period of testing across the world for the all-new electric taxi, which has included weeks and thousands of miles in both hot and cold climate endurance tests in the Arizona desert and Arctic Circle, respectively.

On sale later this year, LTC’s new electric taxi will be the most comprehensively tested product in the company’s history. With well over a million miles covered so far, these test vehicles have been more extensively tested than any of LTC’s last three taxis combined. This is not just to meet the exacting standards of London’s cab drivers but the requirements of drivers and climates of cities all around the world.

The All new Hybrid London Taxi undergoes extreme hot weather testing in Arizona, USA.

• As Summer Arrives In The UK, London Taxi Company’s All-New Range-Extended Electric Black Cab Shines In Extreme Arizona Desert Heat

London Taxi Company (LTC)’s strenuous testing regime for its range extended electric vehicle has taken the cab to the extreme desert heat of Arizona in the U.S.

A critical part of the development programme of the vehicle, extreme climate testing not just proves the considerable distances the vehicle can cover whilst the atmospheric controls are running at full power, but also that the new cab is a vehicle suitable for the world, not just for London.

On sale in the final quarter of 2017, LTC’s new electric taxi will be the most comprehensively tested product in the company’s history, all to ensure thatit meets not just the high regulatory standards of London but the requirements and climates of cities all around the world.

Chris Gubbey, CEO of the London Taxi Company said:“Since announcing this project we have had considerable interest not just from European cities but hot weather cities around the world. To convert this interest into sales we must prove TX5 can perform as well in the 45 °C heat of Dubai as it can in the sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic, and as it does in the changeable conditions of London.”

On these trials, the vehicle successfully undertook daily of journeys of 300 miles, the equivalent of driving from Heathrow to central London some 20 times. This is roughly triple the average daily mileage of the typical London cab, reassuring cab drivers that there are plenty of extra-miles in the tank if they’re sharing the vehicle with another driver, or, should they land a popular “roader” (London cabbie parlance for a long-distance fare). 

This shows that despite additional pressure of extreme heat on the battery, the cab can still cover considerable distances. So, regardless of the conditions outside, both driver and passenger will be able to travel in comfort without worrying about the range of the vehicle.

Leaving the passenger free to enjoy the sights of the city through the panoramic roof, and the driver to experience long range, zero emissions driving in maximum comfort.

Dr Wolfram Liedtke, Head of Quality at LTC said: “Testing in these extremes provides us with a huge amount of data, helping us to understand how the performance of the batteries changes at high temperatures, and how can get the most charge out of them.

“In the next few weeks, our equipment testing will also take us to extremely humid environments, as well as some more mountainous terrain. This is all preparation for one of the most challenging environments for vehicles – everyday use on the streets of London.”

LTC is due to start its vehicle demonstration programme in London this summer and, thanks to this testing in Arizona, the cab’s first customers will keep cool during what has started off as a sweltering summer in the capital.

London Taxi Company (LTC) is set to celebrate the life of its iconic diesel taxi at the London Motor Show.

• London Taxi Company (LTC) is set to celebrate the life of its iconic diesel taxi at The Confused.com London Motor Show 2017 before bidding it farewell
• The revolutionary new range extended electric taxi will replace the diesel cab at the end of the year, and LTC will be pulling out all the stops to honour its legendary existing model
• Over 130 brand new cars will be showcased from a range of manufacturers at Battersea Evolution from 4-7 May

London Taxi Company (LTC) is preparing to give its iconic diesel black cab the ultimate send-off at The Confused.com London Motor Show. 

The current cab has spent 10 years as the world’s No. 1 taxi of choice and has been exported to over 40 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand. 

But London is the cab’s spiritual home, and it will be returning to its roots at Battersea Park from 4-7 May for one final hurrah. As this cab is being replaced by a new range extended electric taxi at the end of 2017, LTC is inviting show-goers to say goodbye to the legend by sharing their taxi stories. 

A giant “leaving card” will be displayed at the LTC stand, which guests can sign with their favourite taxi tales and best memories of their time spent with the car. 

The model on show will be a Limited Edition TX4, which is one of the last 300 ever diesel cabs to roll off the production line. Like all new diesel taxis, it will come with a Euro 6 engine which delivers an 83% reduction in nitrogen oxides when compared with older models. 

The TX4 is also estimated to have appeared in over 5,000 movies and TV shows, including the likes of James Bond films, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes, and many of its impressive feats will be honoured at The Confused.com London Motor Show. 

The Limited Edition TX4 will join a long list of exhibits in Battersea Park, where over 130 brand new cars will go on display to the tens of thousands of spectators passing through the gates. 

Alec Mumford, Chairman of The Confused.com London Motor Show, said: “Welcoming a true London icon to our show in the capital is incredibly fitting and we’re very excited to play a big part in paying tribute to a legend. We all have memories of being in one of the current cabs and it’ll be very interesting to see what our guests write in the LTC leaving card. London automotive stalwarts don’t come much bigger than The Confused.com London Motor Show and the London Black Cab, and the union is sure to be very special.” 

The world's first flat pack truck is now all ready for launch for countries that require transportation in challenging terrain.

• The first vehicle to be designed specifically to provide all-terrain mobility for the developing world
• Revolutionary OX™ flat-pack truck aims to help communities to undertake a range of crucial daily tasks
• Envisioned by entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Torquil Norman; designed by renowned automotive engineer Professor Gordon Murray

The world’s first ‘flat-pack’ truck – the Global Vehicle Trust OX – has been revealed in London, designed to provide low-cost all-terrain mobility for remote parts of Africa and the developing world.

Across Africa and other developing world, there is intense need for improved transport, for both everyday living as well as emergencies. 

The OX has been designed specifically to tackle a host of transport challenges, and to undertake crucial daily tasks, such as collect drinking water and transporting grain, fertilizer or building materials. It is unlike any other vehicle and has no direct competitor – whether from a concept, performance or pricing point of view.

The OX originated from the vision of one man – Sir Torquil Norman. Five years ago, he founded the Global Vehicle Trust (GVT), to pursue his ambition to help people in the developing world by providing cost-effective mobility. The GVT subsequently briefed renowned automotive designer Professor Gordon Murray on a unique humanitarian programme to create a revolutionary lightweight truck.

The brief for the vehicle called for high ground clearance, excellent approach and departure angles, large wheel movement, a multi-purpose layout and a three-person cab. Gordon Murray’s design for the OX is nothing short of revolutionary, and the flat-pack format fundamentally changes the way a vehicle can be bought and transported, providing specific advantages to lead times and overall unit cost.

The OX has been designed to offer superb all-terrain ability, but it also has a huge and adaptable load carrying capability. The packaging is a key triumph of the OX project: the overall vehicle length is far shorter than a large SUV, and yet it can carry a payload of 1900kg (approximately twice the capacity of most current pick-ups) with a load volume of 7.0 m3. Based on EU size guidelines, it can seat up to 13 people or carry eight 44-gallon drums or three Euro-pallets.

Therefore, the OX not only addresses the problems with the roads; it also addresses the specific need to transport large volumes of goods and people at low cost.

The OX’s cabin provides spacious accommodation for three people, and the driver is seated centrally. This layout has specific advantages for the world’s developing countries, some of which have right-hand traffic, while others drive on the left of the road.

All-terrain ability is crucial for the developing world, and the OX has been engineered to perform as well as, or better than, a four-wheel drive vehicle across a range of surfaces, while offering durable mobility with two driven wheels.

The OX’s revolutionary nature extends beyond the vehicle design because, uniquely, it is capable of being flat-packed within itself, enabling it to be transported more efficiently around the world. It takes three people less than six hours to create the flat pack in the UK prior to shipping, and six of these flat packs can be shipped within a 40ft high-cube container. Assembly labour is transferred to the importing country, where local professional companies will be employed to assemble and maintain the finished vehicles. Three skilled people can put an OX together in approximately 12 hours.

Beyond its revolutionary packaging design and two-wheel-drive all-terrain ability, the OX is full of design innovations. For example, the tailgate does not merely contain the load in the back; it detaches completely from the OX and can be rotated lengthways to double as a loading ramp. The rear bench seat bases also have a dual purpose. The long ‘egg crate’ frames can be removed from the vehicle and used as ‘sand ladders’ under the wheels to help the OX traverse challenging soft ground.

Sir Torquil Norman said: “My inspiration for the OX goes back to seeing the ‘Africar’ project of the 1980s. This project shares some of the aims of that vehicle, but its execution is radically different. OX was just a dream six years ago, but it is now a realistic prospect for production with working prototypes that have completed a comprehensive testing programme.”

Professor Gordon Murray said: “The OX design and prototyping programme is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and challenging I have undertaken during my 45 years of car design, including my years in F1.

“The added challenge of a flat-packed vehicle design over the already tough targets for cost, durability and weight saving made for a fascinating and stimulating journey from concept to prototype.

“The most satisfying elements of the project for me are that the OX will make such a difference to so many people and that it has no competitor in any part of the world. It has been a privilege to work alongside Torquil to make his vision a reality.”

Driving the next stage of development

The global launch of the OX aims to highlight the need for investment and support in order to progress the project to completion. The Global Vehicle Trust believes that the OX project will attract a wide range of interest from potential backers.

Sir Torquil Norman said: “Feedback we have had so far from contacts in Africa and with aid agencies has been very positive. OX is about making a difference now, being part of something ground-breaking and unique. Most of all it presents a real opportunity to make a fundamental and lasting difference to people’s lives.

“Our priority now is to raise the funding to complete the testing and take the project to fruition. We believe that the OX has huge potential for charities, aid organisations and development programmes. My dream is to one day see an OX in every village in Africa.”

Technical specifications – XP3 prototype

Dimensions (mm)

Exterior	(mm)
Overall length	4,229
Overall width	2,070
Overall height	2,302
Wheelbase	2,560
Track	1,795

Weights (kg)

Dry weight	1600 kg
Payload capacity	1900 kg

Suspension and damping

Front	OXGlide™ leading arms, telescopic dampers and coil springs
Rear	OXGlide™ trailing arms, telescopic dampers and coil springs

Engine

	2.2-litre 16v Diesel
Type	4 valves per cylinder
Capacity (cc)	2198
Bore x stroke (mm)	86.0 x 94.6
Compression ratio	17.5:1
Power	100 PS at 3,500 rpm
Torque	310 Nm at 2,100 rpm

Transmission

Manual, All Synchromesh

5 speed + reverse

Steering

Type	Rack and pinion
Turning circle	11.7m

Brakes

Front	300 mm ventilated disc
Rear	280 mm solid disc

Wheels and tyres

Wheel size	Tyres - Front	Tyres - Rear
x 16-inch	205/80 R16	205/80 R16

Capacities (litres)

Luggage	3,430 (to sides) / 7,000 (maximum)
Fuel tank	80

Williams and Nissan collaborate to produce a weird and futuristic prototype on display in Rio de Janeiro.

Prototype high-performance electric vehicle debuts in Rio de Janeiro

• Advanced full-electric battery powertrain delivers stunning performance and dynamic handling
• Zero-emission driving fun with central driving position and two passenger seats behind

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today unveiled the working prototype of its futuristic BladeGlider vehicle, combining zero-emissions with high-performance in a revolutionary sports car design.

The vehicles, developed from concept cars first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2013, have arrived in Brazil to symbolize future technologies that will combine Intelligent Mobility, environmentally-friendly impact and sports-car driving capabilities.

Carlos Ghosn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., said: “These prototypes epitomise Nissan’s drive to expand its Intelligent Mobility philosophy, where driving pleasure combines with environmental responsibility. Nissan believes that enthusiasts should look forward to a zero emission future and BladeGlider is a perfect demonstration of that. It’s the electric vehicle for car-lovers.”

The debut of the BladeGlider prototypes forms part of Nissan’s ongoing commitment to the development of zero-emission vehicles and new automotive technologies including autonomous drive systems and connectivity. Nissan already sells the world’s highest-volume zero-emission car, the LEAF, and is pioneering Intelligent Mobility systems that will be deployed in a range of vehicles over coming years.

With the BladeGlider, Nissan’s vision was for an agile, efficient EV that would provide new dimensions of driving fun and excitement - a car that would ‘glide’, thanks to the near-silent performance of its electric powertrain and aerodynamic shape.

After two years of work on design, engineering and development, Nissan BladeGlider has evolved further into an exciting, real-life study into the potential of advanced EV performance. BladeGlider epitomises Intelligent Mobility, a philosophy to make its cars more exciting by redefining how they are driven, powered and integrated into society.

The demonstration models feature an advanced chassis configuration with a narrow front track and wider rear track for optimum aerodynamic efficiency and handling stability.

High-waisted, rear-hinged dihedral doors provide a dramatic entry and exit to the cabin. The open roof of BladeGlider is reinforced with an integrated roll-over protection structure, providing the exhilaration of an open-topped race car with the safety of a coupé.

Wheel-mounted controls for BladeGlider’s systems feed into an advanced display showing speed, state of battery charge, regeneration mode and torque map. Flanking the central display are two screens, with the images of rear-view cameras mounted just behind the front wheels. 

An alternative to door-mounted mirrors, this dual screen design improves the aerodynamic efficiency of BladeGlider. The driver sits in arrowhead formation slightly in front of two passengers, who enjoy extended legroom. The view for all occupants is panoramic, thanks to the seamless cockpit windscreen.

Power is 100 percent electric, with exceptional powertrain performance delivered by Nissan’s technical partner for the BladeGlider project, UK-based Williams Advanced Engineering. Maximum speed of the demonstration models is in excess of 190km/h*, with 0-100km/h taking less than 5 seconds*. The rear wheels’ drive is provided by two 130kW electric motors – one for each wheel.

The system features torque vectoring, controlling the torque delivered to the driven wheels, improving the handling even further. With torque vectoring, if the car starts to understeer, it automatically sends more torque to the outside wheel to restore the handling balance.

Designed to add to the driving experience rather than govern it, the torque vectoring systems has three settings: off, agile and drift mode.

Power is supplied by a high performance five module lithium-ion 220kW battery. Bespoke cooling systems have been developed for both the battery and the motors.

The interior of the BladeGlider reflects the vehicles’ sporting intentions, with four point safety harnesses for each occupant. The seats offer exceptional support to sides and legs of the driver and passengers. The seats are trimmed in a highly tactile blend of fabric and epoxy resin coating, resulting in a tough and grippy material that has the effect of comfortably adhering occupants securely in place.

There are two colour trims – Cyber Green and Stealth Orange. These colours are used for the upper portions of the seat back, and framed with a silver reflective material to create an eye-catching, sporty look. The base of the seats are in black, patterned material, with a band of green and orange trim framing the cushion.

Two BladeGliders will be presented in Rio de Janeiro in August. One will be on static display in Rio while the second will be offering dynamic rides to media and VIPs.

Key specifications:

Top speed	> 190 km/h (115 mph)*
Acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph)	< 5 seconds
Power	200 kW (268hp)
Torque	707Nm
Weight	1,300kg
Length	4,300mm
Width	1,850mm
Height	1,300mm
Wheelbase	2,800mm

*Figures recorded by Williams Advanced Engineering