Nissan's NV200 Taxi Goes Into Production

Nissan’s “Taxi of Tomorrow,” the vehicle based on the company’s NV200, is set to arrive in October on the streets of New York City and is now in production at Nissan’s Cuernavaca, Mexico plant, according to the automaker.

To get the vehicle ready for full production, Nissan created a test track resembling New York City’s streets at its proving grounds in Arizona in order to tune the taxi to the city’s roads. The automaker also hired New York City cab drivers to drive test NV200-based taxis around the City to get additional feedback, the company stated.

The Taxi of Tomorrow program has had its ups and downs, with the New York City comptroller at one point refusing to approve the vehicle due to its original lack of wheelchair access. Nissan partnered with Braun Corp. to make the vehicle wheelchair accessible, and the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission officially approved the vehicle for use in NYC in Sept., 2012.

Nissan also released an updated list of the vehicle’s features, which include the following:

Interior features: sliding doors with entry step and grab handles; a transparent roof panel; opening side windows; independently controlled rear air conditioning; an active carbon-lined headliner for neutralizing odors in the cabin; overhead reading lights; a mobile charging station for passengers (which includes a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports); antimicrobial seat fabric that’s designed to be durable and easy to clean; flat passenger floor.

General Features: 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain; 150,000 mile powertrain warranty; a “low-annoyance” horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking; a 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed; unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow; USB auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver; standard navigation system with integrated rearview backup monitor; hearing loop system for the hearing impaired; driver and passenger intercom system.

Safety features: Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row; standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control; and lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening.