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 @ Mar 13th 2008 6:17PM
Ya know what's neat about that? It looks like the taxis from Blade Runner and the animated classic Heavy Metal.
Andy @ Mar 13th 2008 6:26PM
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
Pete @ Mar 13th 2008 6:56PM
I don't see this being a problem for them.
Mike @ Mar 13th 2008 6:32PM
I guess we call Tourneo Connect in Europe. Transit Connect is the freight version.
AMcA @ Mar 13th 2008 7:02PM
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.
Sam @ Mar 13th 2008 7:41PM
with a higher roof, you don't have to worry about headroom and you can store more stuff in the back.
Derek @ Mar 14th 2008 1:30PM
doubt that aero drag has much effect on a city taxi.
neothespian @ Mar 13th 2008 7:57PM
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
SPG @ Mar 13th 2008 7:59PM
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?
Will @ Mar 13th 2008 8:12PM
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.
asolar @ Mar 13th 2008 9:47PM
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.
Austin @ Mar 13th 2008 10:17PM
I dont know about a taxi but with that big of a sunroof, ill buy one for myself!!!
Mattias @ Mar 15th 2008 11:06AM
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 @ Mar 13th 2008 10:43PM
Love it!
Bob @ Mar 13th 2008 10:50PM
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.
DDL @ Mar 13th 2008 11:00PM
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?
94 taurus owner @ Mar 15th 2008 10:00PM
Chargers Hopefully.
Westside T.O. @ Mar 14th 2008 12:14AM
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
Mattias @ Mar 14th 2008 3:05AM
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).
tanooki2003 @ Mar 14th 2008 10:59AM
Please Ford kill the damned old underpowered Crown Vic already. If my wife's 5 speed 4 cyl car can easily outgun that car it should at least say that Ford knows how to make a very underpowered 4.6L V8.
Aside from that rant I look forward to seeing these replace taxis and airport shuttles. I have a feeling this will be the first of the new generation Euro fords to come here since the 3 bar chrome theme is running strong. This just seems to blend in, not that I like the 3 bar idiotic theme currently sported by Ford.