EnglishLady
Veteran Expediter
Mail Feb 4
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
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.
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
The winning design will have the opportunity to be picked for other cities throughout the U.S.
Read more, pics & video: Goodbye to the Big Apple's beloved yellow checker cab...hello to the smart, sexy, new taxi of tomorrow | Mail Online
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
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.
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
The winning design will have the opportunity to be picked for other cities throughout the U.S.
Read more, pics & video: Goodbye to the Big Apple's beloved yellow checker cab...hello to the smart, sexy, new taxi of tomorrow | Mail Online