NYC Picks Nissan NV200 as the New Taxi Cab

The Nissan NV200, a light commercial van already in use in European markets, has won the New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow competition, Nissan North America announced today.

The Nissan NV200 beat out two other small vans, the Ford Transit Connect and a stylish model from Turkish Karsan Otomotiv.

The 4-cylinder NV200 vans will get a combined fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon, nearly double what the Ford Crown Victoria gets. Nissan says an electric drivetrain could be installed on the same platform beginning in 2017.

Yhe Nissan NV200 taxi features will include what Nissan calls “a low-annoyance horn” accompanied by blinking lights, leg and footroom to accomodate four adults, a flat floor, stain-resistant and environmentally friendly upholstery, interior air filters, and dual climate controls in the rear. Other passenger amenities include a 12-volt outlet and not one but two USB plugs for charging gadgets, a transparent roof (with shade) for sightseeing and ample room for four passengers.

The Nissan NV200 taxi will be produced at Nissan's assembly plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price will be around $29,000, Nissan says.

Roughly 3,000 cabs are replaced each year, and the first Taxis of Tomorrows are expected to hit the streets of New York in 2013.

Nissan will also work with the city of New York on a pilot program to study the use of electric vehicles as taxis. The company will provide up to six Nissan LEAF models to taxi owners for testing in 2012, along with charging stations.

NYC's cab fleet of 11,300 vehicles ferries about 600,000 passengers a day, traveling a cumulative 500 million miles per year.