Mercedes-Benz London Taxi

[BTB 500]

I saw one doing a U turn on the Strand last week and the rear wheels looked really odd angled over to one side!

 

[Ratty_]

I saw one doing a U turn on the Strand last week and the rear wheels looked really odd angled over to one side!

What! like this? Your front wheels do too, its due to the KPI (king Pin Inclination ) and Castor angle.

 

[hatterat3]

there is something sentimental and admirable about the old London black cab, the handling is superb which may not tbe matched in replacement vehicles (they say the black cab can turn on a sixpence) and the comfort of the rides is second to none. Once a cabby passes the knowledge they have to make a practice drive with an invigulator in the back, if the inspector's back comes away from the chair (something like more than 30 degrees) they fail and have to retake the test again.

It's good for cities to have a recognisable icon...Germany has the Merc for it's taxis, if ours have done good for 60 years why are we changing them.

 

[BTB 500]

It's good for cities to have a recognisable icon...Germany has the Merc for it's taxis, if ours have done good for 60 years why are we changing them.

Our taxis have changed many times ... this was my grandfather's one, which bears little resemblance to a TX4

AFAIK the main distinguishing factor for London cabs has always been the black colour, which is by no means universal on any of them nowadays.

 

[CRASH67]

there is something sentimental and admirable about the old London black cab, the handling is superb which may not tbe matched in replacement vehicles (they say the black cab can turn on a sixpence) and the comfort of the rides is second to none. Once a cabby passes the knowledge they have to make a practice drive with an invigulator in the back, if the inspector's back comes away from the chair (something like more than 30 degrees) they fail and have to retake the test again.

It's good for cities to have a recognisable icon...Germany has the Merc for it's taxis, if ours have done good for 60 years why are we changing them.

i dont think they are changin i jus think Mercedes wana compete in the market as no other light commercials or other brands compete so prehaps they see it as open game

 

[clk208]

there is something sentimental and admirable about the old London black cab, the handling is superb which may not tbe matched in replacement vehicles (they say the black cab can turn on a sixpence) and the comfort of the rides is second to none. Once a cabby passes the knowledge they have to make a practice drive with an invigulator in the back, if the inspector's back comes away from the chair (something like more than 30 degrees) they fail and have to retake the test again.

It's good for cities to have a recognisable icon...Germany has the Merc for it's taxis, if ours have done good for 60 years why are we changing them.

Have to disagree about the ride comfort in a TX4! Every one I have been in is truly shocking, literally.

I have been in 30 year old mercs with original suspension that ride better.

Braking from 30-0 seems to be pushing the limits of the handling too, I dread to think what the stopping distance is for your average cab that is a few years old.

 

[BTB 500]

Saw a Vito Taxi on the Strand yesterday with the plate "V2 TXY"

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

Have to disagree about the ride comfort in a TX4! Every one I have been in is truly shocking, literally.

I have been in 30 year old mercs with original suspension that ride better.

I have to agree. Although the TX4's ride is better than that of the FX4 it replaced in the 1990s, it is still very poor on less-than-perfect road surfaces.

 

[bolide]

they say the black cab can turn on a sixpence

I was talking to an American on the London to Brighton run yesterday. He said his veteran would "Stop on a Dime"

He also added the Dime would have to be situated about two hundred yards ahead...

Nick Froome

 

[mmerc]

I own a mercedes vito taxi conversion,good vehicle no rear wheel steer i dont think it has been perfected enough.Taxi is black with 2.2 cdi good on fuel,comfort 6 passenger seats,let down by mercedes dealership.

 

[Ratty_]

Our taxis have changed many times ... this was my grandfather's one, which bears little resemblance to a TX4

AFAIK the main distinguishing factor for London cabs has always been the black colour, which is by no means universal on any of them nowadays.

Sorry but London cabs have never ever had to be black, next your going to tell us they have to carry a bale of hay another myth this wasn't even a law during horse drawn days just some hand feed for the "orse"

 

[BTB 500]

Sorry but London cabs have never ever had to be black, next your going to tell us they have to carry a bale of hay another myth this wasn't even a law during horse drawn days just some hand feed for the "orse"

I specifically said that nowadays many aren't black. But historically (40s-70s) the vast majority were, which is why they are still often referred to as 'black cabs'.

 

[renault12ts]

I specifically said that nowadays many aren't black. But historically (40s-70s) the vast majority were, which is why they are still often referred to as 'black cabs'.

When I looked at your photo I thought it was current. But on closer inspection it is old, but in very good colour. Is this the case?

 

[BTB 500]

When I looked at your photo I thought it was current. But on closer inspection it is old, but in very good colour. Is this the case?

Yes it's an old pic ... late 50s I would guess. Taken by my dad, who was (and still is) a very keen photographer.

 

[Sp!ke]

Wow... I asm amazed that was taken in the 50's, the sharpness and colour depth made me wrongly assume it was some sort of modern re-enactment.

Grandads nipple high trousers even puts Simon Cowel to shame.

 

[BTB 500]

Kodachrome transparency, I think. Plus a good lens

 

[bolide]

there is something sentimental and admirable about the old London black cab, the handling is superb which may not tbe matched in replacement vehicles (they say the black cab can turn on a sixpence) and the comfort of the rides is second to none

I think you got the wrong quote there. The one you were looking for is "There is something deeply cr4p about the old London black cab"

Nick Froome
the independent Mercedes Estate specialists

 

[Charles Morgan]

I have one bugbear as a driver with London black cabs - pulling away from stationary takes longer than the evolution of man from an ape. As a passenger, I would quite like the suspension not to be made out of concrete, to get warm in winter, cool in summer, visibility out in the wet and not to feel sick going round corners.

 

[wemorgan]

Bad news for the classic London Taxi, but surely now an opportunity for the Vito Taxi to take over for good.

BBC News - Manganese Bronze says taxi recall to hit cash flow

 

[trapperjohn]

An extract from the link,

The supplier was a Chinese firm introduced by Manganese's Chinese partner Geely.

Manganese and Geely signed a joint venture agreement in 2006 and own a factory in Shanghai that produces taxis for the international market.