The vehicles that we drive today are far removed from those that we drove 20 years ago. Design and technology has moved on in leaps and bounds, but in a changing world, it’s quite reassuring that not everything has changed – namely the black cab.
The most recent model has been largely the same for decades; at least that was the case until now. Geely, the company behind the black cab, has just released information about a new model called the TX5 which will be on the roads of London, and many other UK counties, from 2017.
By the standards of the ‘black cab’, this new version is a revolution. The biggest changes are the ability to carry 6 passengers (rather than the current 5), it will have a glass roof, and it will run off a hybrid powertrain, taking the efficiency of the cab to a new level.
What this highlights is the broad adoption of hybrid technology. It’s gone from niche to mainstream in just a few years. Combining efficiency and practicality, businesses and consumers are turning to hybrid options as a way of reducing their fuel costs and vehicle related tax – even the most traditional!
It’s not the only alternative, and it would be wrong to say that there aren’t a host of efficient petrol and diesel options also on the market. What it does provide is a good option and it’s certainly something to consider when selecting a vehicle.
Of course, some things don’t change. As much of a tourist attraction as a functional tool, the looks of the black cab have been kept similar enough to keep the sightseers happy and preserve this London attraction.
