2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi Unveiled in New York

Nissan Motor Co. unveiled its 2014 NV200 Taxi that will start appearing on the streets of New York next year — a service 600,000 New Yorkers use daily.

The 2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi, New York's Taxi of Tomorrow, will replace the fleet of Ford stretch Crown Victorias, Ford Escape Hybrids and Toyota Siennas that currently prowl the streets of the nation's largest city.

After a rigorous, two-year competitive bid selection process, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 Taxi in May 2011 as the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013. The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Design Trust for Public Space and Smart Design also have engaged with Nissan and the TLC in the vehicle's design.

"The Nissan NV200 unveiled today will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had," said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers."

New York's more than 13,000 iconic yellow taxis travel 500 million miles per year.

Nissan has partnered with the Braun Corp., the world leader in automotive mobility products, to develop, engineer and produce a creative solution for a wheelchair-accessible taxi in New York. Drawing on Braun's innovation and experience in the mobility industry, Nissan will offer a mobility solution to New York taxi medallion holders when the taxis go on sale in 2013.

Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:
•  Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models
•  Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit
•  Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city
•  Opening side windows
•  Independently controlled rear air conditioning
•  Active Carbon Lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors
•  Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings
•  A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports
•  Breathable, antimicrobial, environment-friendly, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather
•  Flat "no hump" passenger floor area for more comfortable ride

Other notable vehicle features are:
•  Proven 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet
•  150,000 mile powertrain warranty
•  A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, so the horn is used less frequently. A 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed
•  Unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow
•  USB Auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver
•  Standard navigation system with integrated rearview backup monitor
•  Hearing Loop System for the hearing impaired
•  Driver and passenger intercom system
•  Pre-wiring for taxi T-PEP system

In addition, important safety features of the Taxi of Tomorrow include:
•  Only taxi ever to be safety tested and certified with full taxi partition
•  Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row
•  Standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control
•  Sliding doors to lessen risk of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists getting struck by doors opening unexpectedly
•  Lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening

As part of the Taxi of Tomorrow program, Nissan is also working with the City and taxi owners on a pilot program to study the use of zero-emission, electric vehicles as taxis. Nissan will provide six Nissan LEAFs and three Level 2 charging stations at no charge to taxi owners and New York City to test the electrification of the taxi fleet.

The Nissan NV200 Taxi will be produced in North America at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700.