Metrocab Range Extender London Taxi looks a real contender (video)

Frazer Nash has revealed the Metrocab Range Extender Electric for London which promises to be cleaner, cheaper and more efficient than any other taxi.

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We’ve had lots of new competition for the traditional London Black Cab cropping up recently, with the Nissan NV200 Taxi and the Mercedes Vito Taxi heading the assault on the traditional black taxi market.

Now we’re getting the Metrocab Range Extender Electric from Frazer Nash throwing its hat in to the ring as a contender for the market, and it does look to be a real contender.

Looking familiar with styling that looks like a properly updated take on the traditional TX4 Black Cab, the Metrocab has been developed by Frazer Nash and Ecotive to be fully compliant with all the requirements of the London Public Carriage Office and offers a much more appealing option for cabbies and fares alike.

It comes with a pair of 67bhp electric motors and a 1.0 litre petrol engine that acts as a range extender to charge the batteries on the move and a range – including the input from the petrol engine – of 347 miles.

That makes the Metrocab three times more efficient than other cabs with economy of around 75mpg in the real world, with CO2 emissions of just 50g/km and very low NOx and particulate emissions.

Things are good for passengers too, with seating for up to 7, AirCon, TV, panoramic glass roof (great for sightseeing) and air suspension.

Metrocab Chairman Sir Charles Masefield said:

The all-new Range Extended Electric Metrocab has been in development since the mid-2000s with several prototypes built and over a million kilometres of engineering tests completed.  Instantly recognisable as an iconic London Hackney Cab, with a panoramic glass roof for views of the city, our new all-British London cab offers, for no price premium, completely new levels of economy, emissions and passenger comfort and is ready to enter service this year, benefiting the passenger, driver, city and environment alike.

After 10 years of development and over 600k miles of development tests, the Metrocab REE is now undergoing trials in London and will be ready to roll out later this year, and Metrocab are looking for London Cabbies to get in touch to see what’s on offer.

It looks like they will be impressed.