Alongside its FV2 personal transportation vehicle concept, Toyota will also be premiering a next-generation taxi concept at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show. Although it bears more than a passing resemblance to London's iconic black cabs, Toyota says the JPN Taxi Concept has been created with Japanese hospitality in mind.
With a length of 4,350 mm (171.2 in), width of 1,695 mm (66.7 in) height of 1,700 mm (66.9 in) and wheelbase of 2,750 mm (108.2 in), the vehicle features a roomy, open interior with room for five occupants and a flat floor that is designed to facilitate easy ingress and egress for everyone from children to seniors via the large, electrically operated door on the passenger side.
Once inside, passengers can track the route to their destination and keep an eye on the fare via a large monitor attached to the roof. Up front, the instruments and gauges have been designed specifically for taxi use.
Though no firm details have been released, Toyota says the vehicle is powered by a new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid system that has been optimized to offer excellent environmental performance for taxi driving patterns.
It has also been designed in keeping with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's efforts to force the incorporation of more barrier-free features along bus and taxi routes to make buildings and transport more accessible for the elderly and physically disabled.
Source: Toyota
