Spy Shots: Ford Transit taxi coming to New York Auto Show?
by Damon Lavrinc on Mar 13th 2008 at 6:04PM 
Click above for more shots of the Ford Transit Taxi.
Our new favorite friend Chris sent us over a handful of shots showing a Ford Transit Connect done up in taxi livery. The black and yellow people mover was apparently caught during a photo shoot in the Big Apple, possibly ahead of its official unveiling next week during the New York Auto Show. While it's hard to make out what mods have been done to the interior, the exterior's revised paint scheme and lettering has a decidedly futuristic feel. We definitely like the idea of a Transit shuttling city-goers around Gotham, and judging by the paint scheme, the 21st century taxis we envisioned in our youth aren't too far off.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Todd 6:17PM (3/13/2008)
Ya know what's neat about that? It looks like the taxis from Blade Runner and the animated classic Heavy Metal.
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Andy 6:26PM (3/13/2008)
Unless it is a hybrid, I doubt it will come to NYC. All New York taxis have to be hybrid by 2012.
http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2007a%2Fpr156-07.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1
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Pete 6:56PM (3/13/2008)
I don't see this being a problem for them.
Mike 6:32PM (3/13/2008)
I guess we call Tourneo Connect in Europe. Transit Connect is the freight version.
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AMcA 7:02PM (3/13/2008)
They ought to use the low roof model. I'm sure it has more than adequate headroom, and with less frontal area will be notably more efficient. It's also very nice looking.
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Sam 7:41PM (3/13/2008)
with a higher roof, you don't have to worry about headroom and you can store more stuff in the back.
Derek 1:30PM (3/14/2008)
doubt that aero drag has much effect on a city taxi.
RPVitiello 3:13PM (3/14/2008)
nothing futuristic about the lettering or paint, that is standard NYC stuff on all yellow cabs.
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neothespian 7:57PM (3/13/2008)
Ya know, speaking as a cab driver, I could see myself driving this thing. Hell, ANYTHING with a smaller motor than the damned Vic would be great on gas prices!!
Also, I think that using the standard Transit would be a good thing. Extra head room makes passengers more comfy, and those sunroofs are a no-brainer for NYC skylines and tourists. And, while it has a higher profile, it looks like it would have a smaller turning radius, which is always a good thing.
Now, get these things to the West coast so we don't have to keep feeding V8's. I'd gladly hold onto my beast of an '04 Vic and pay the extra on my lease to land one of these
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SPG 7:59PM (3/13/2008)
This will take a bite out of the Sienna taxi ridden streets.
However I can't see the glass celing on the Transit coming on the cab versions.
I have to wonder though, will ford leave the grill's flat black like they do with service Crown Vic's or will they chrome them in keeping with their "bold" design theme?
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Will 8:12PM (3/13/2008)
I'm really impressed with the sunroofs. If this does end up going into production, it would be great to see that detail staying in. Like neothespian said, it would be great to provide some upward visibility in cities.
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asolar 9:47PM (3/13/2008)
This would make a great tourist taxi, especially in cities like New York. That sunroof is ideal for looking up at all of the tall buildings as you ride along.
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Austin 10:17PM (3/13/2008)
I dont know about a taxi but with that big of a sunroof, ill buy one for myself!!!
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Mattias 11:06AM (3/15/2008)
What about this sunroof?
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/geneva-2008-peugeot-308-sw/649837/
Or this windshield?
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vx/microsite/astra_flickr07/index.html
EVan 10:43PM (3/13/2008)
Love it!
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Bob 10:50PM (3/13/2008)
They still need to think about handicap access and add a third row seat so you can fit four passengers. I remember the required specs saying it needed to be a hybrid, handicap capable and room for storage.
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DDL 11:00PM (3/13/2008)
Perfect - they said that NYC was looking for a new spec Cab to replace the Crown Vic when it goes out of production. Looks like Ford has the perfect answer for them - especially if they can adapt a version of the Escape's Hybrid powertrain.
Now that the cab services are covered, what are all of the police forces going to do when the Crown Vic is gone?
Impalas?
Chargers?
Explorers?
Tahoes?
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94 taurus owner 10:00PM (3/15/2008)
Chargers Hopefully.
Westside T.O. 12:14AM (3/14/2008)
The graphics on this remind me (for some reason) of the taxi in "The 6th Day" with Ahhnold.
I think this would make a great taxi! No more paying higher rates for a van :D
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Mattias 3:05AM (3/14/2008)
Compared to crown Vics or old W210 Mercedes E-Classes this is definitive step in the right direction. But like Berlingos or Caddies these Ford Tourneo Connects have the charme of the utility vehicles they are based on. Lots of rubber and hard plastic.
Thus: When I have the choice between a Tourneo Connect, a E-Class and a C4 Picasso I always chose the C4 Picasso. In germany you are usually allowed to take the passenger seat next to driver and in combination with the panoramic windshields you see more of the skyline than with the Tourneos moonroof (OK, we do not have skylines, just old churches and cathedrals).
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