Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of.
by Alex Nunez on Apr 21st 2008 at 2:58PM 
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Click image for a gallery of the Geely TX4 LTC
Geely builds the LTI TX4 under license, and naturally, it's showing off the popular London taxi at its display in Beijing. The standard TX4's kind of vanilla though, so to grab showgoers' attention, the automaker has also plopped an electric blue "hot rod" version called the TX4 LTC in its display, as well. It might more appropriately described as a "not rod", since the TX4's stock 2.4L Euro IV-compliant diesel remains underhood. For maximum visual effect, Geely appears to have raided the Chinese equivalent of a Pep Boys, adding a faux dual exhaust, bolting on truck running boards and fitting six-spoke wheels that might be just a smidge oversized. Call us crazy, but it looks like turning could become a bit of an adventure.
Inside, the passenger compartment gets a white interior and possibly some stereo upgrades along with a nice photo of Big Ben on the bulkhead. You might be stifling a giggle, but compared to some of the vehicular insanity that's showed up at previous years' Chinese auto shows, the TX4 LTC is almost boring, and even with that stock engine, lead-footed hacks can probably still smoke Geely Beauty Leopard drivers at red lights. Just don't take the bait and follow them into the twisties -- you might run into some issues.
Gallery: Geely TX4 LTC
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All photos Copyright ©2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autoblog Chinese]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stuka 3:17PM (4/21/2008)
er... Could they not find wheels with proper backspacing or what? The tires would rub just getting into the thing. It would be a nice looking tune if they put proper wheels on...
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I3ziko 3:23PM (4/21/2008)
Tasteless... looks like something 18yo would have created in his garage with parts from Walmart
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ugg.tryptophan 6:19PM (4/21/2008)
not tasteless, but bad taste
tio 1:00PM (4/22/2008)
It's a sad day when a london cab is brought down to this level.
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tankd0g 3:55PM (4/21/2008)
I'll say this for the Chinese, they seem to have a sense of humor.
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Dazza 4:21PM (4/21/2008)
Autoblog editors: the photo on the bulkhead is of the Palace of Westminster Clock Tower. Big Ben is the main bell inside it.
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Alex Nunez 4:30PM (4/21/2008)
Thank you, Captain Pedantic.
Dazza 6:09PM (4/21/2008)
Alex: no more pedantic than referring to an American as a Yankee.
SPG 4:46PM (4/21/2008)
Haha, I love it.
As tacky and fun as Lennon's Roller.
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ugg.tryptophan 6:17PM (4/21/2008)
this may be the worst chinese copy-car ever
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Chi Wong 3:02PM (4/22/2008)
YOU ARE RIGHT! It is the worst copy[!]
theRYHMNOCEROS 9:48AM (4/22/2008)
Final proof that the Chinese lack any sense of aesthetic, proportion and taste. And the best part is that the Chinese are not trying to "have a sense of humor", they really are just tasteless.
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