Toyota is aiming to redefine Japan’s livery market with the release of the JPN Taxi. After previewing it as a concept vehicle at the 2015 Tokyo auto show, Toyota is using the 2017 Tokyo show to unveil the production people mover.
Resembling the spawn of the long-forgotten Nissan Axxess and a London cab, the JPN Taxi features a power-sliding rear door on the passenger side for easy access, loads of headroom, and a flat floor that’s wheelchair friendly. Emphasizing occupant safety, the JPN Taxi comes standard with a half-dozen standard airbags and a front pre-collision system that can automatically bring the cab to a stop.
In order to optimize the dashboard for taxi duty, the JPN Taxi’s HVAC controls sit to the driver’s right-hand side, an area traditionally reserved for items such as the headlight switch (remember, the JPN Taxi is a right-hand-drive vehicle). This leaves room for the available navigation system and taxi meter to be situated in clear sight of passengers, the better to monitor routing and fees.
The JPN Taxi’s hybrid powertrain relies on a pair of electric motors and a 1.5-liter inline-four that can run on liquefied petroleum gas (aka propane or butane). Toyota claims the front-wheel-drive JPN Taxi’s powertrain drastically reduces the model’s carbon-dioxide emissions.
Two JPN Taxi models will be offered: the base Nagomi and the higher-end Takumi. The former will set customers back approximately $29,000, while the latter adds a little less than $2000 to the price. Opting for the Takumi brings niceties such as LED headlights, distinct bodywork, and heating/air-conditioning vents for the rear seat.
Toyota notes that the JPN Taxi will be deployed to shuttle visitors around Tokyo when the city hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics. That may be your best bet at getting a chance to spend time inside the funky-looking cab, as there’s no indication that the JPN Taxi will be offered for sale outside of Japan.
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