TX4
 A 2007, TX4 Taxi pictured at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, June 2008. |
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| Manufacturer | LTI & Geely Automobile |
|---|---|
| Production | 2007–Present |
| Predecessor | TXII |
| Body style | 4-door saloon type |
| Engine | 2.5L I4 Diesel |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Curb weight | 1,895 kg (4,178 lb) |
The TX4 is a purpose built taxicab (hackney carriage) manufactured by Manganese Bronze Holdings / LTC The London Taxi Company, formerly LTI London Taxis International. It is the latest in a long line of purpose-built taxis manufactured by LTC (previously as stated LTI and before that many years ago Carbodies). The design has loosely evolved from the Austin FX4 which was eventually known as the 'Fairway' series. The TX4 takes virtually all of its body styling from its predecessor, the TXII (there is no TX3). It now features a new front radiator grille, an updated interior design, updated front and rear bumpers, and a different rear vehicle registration number plate surround. There are now internal headrests as a result of EU safety regulations. On the earlier models there were two headrests fitted to the central partition for the rear-facing tip-up seats, but on the later models these were removed as drivers complained and found them awkward for vision reasons. In addition, there were many other revisions.
The TX4 offers a 2.5 VM Motori diesel engine mated electronically to a Magna Powertrain automatic transmission (also used in the Jeep Cherokee). A manual version is also available.
The engine and transmission are built on a fully boxed hydroform frame and a separate body, due to the nature of its separate chassis construction.
The front suspension, as with its predecessors, is of the coil spring type while the rear suspension is no longer the old-fashioned leaf spring type having been replaced with coil springs. The front suspension now has an anti-roll bar like a modern car.
Anecdotally the reason for there being no TX3 and the marque number going straight to 4 is because the engine is Euro IV compliant and also for the vehicle to have a connection with the famous Austin FX4.[1]
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[edit] Alternative propulsion
There is hope that there may be a handful of TX4's with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion by 2012 in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The current prototype (made with the help of Lotus Engineering) has a range of 250 miles (400 km) and top speed of over 80 mph (it recently achieved 95 mph at the Millbrook test track). The hydrogen tank can supposedly be refilled in five minutes. Currently £5.5 million has been used to fund the project from the Technology Strategy Board.[2]
[edit] Chinese market
In January 2007, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the LTI's shareholders approved a joint venture with Geely Automobile--called Shanghai LTI—to manufacture the TX4 in China. Production started in July 2008. In August 2010 Geely disclosed that Shanghai LTI began supplying SKD (semi-knocked-down) TX4 to the UK.[3] Geely sells the TX4 cab under their "Englon" brand, but have also developed a new version called the TXN.[4] The TXN, planned to go on sale in 2012, has a more bulbous shape meant to be more youthful. A concept version called the Englon SC7-RV has also been shown in 2011; this is intended to be used as a private family saloon.[4]
[edit] Fire issues
In September 2008, approximately 15 engine fires in a period of three months forced a partial recall of the TX4. A limited number of vehicles were affected and the Public Carriage Office—now renamed LTPH (London Taxis and Private Hire)—required all models with a '56' registration plate to undergo safety checks otherwise drivers would lose their carriage license.[5]
The news of the fires hit the headlines after Big George, a presenter on BBC London 94.9, received photos of a taxi that burst into flames outside Stringfellows on Upper St. Martin's Lane on the 12th of September 2008.
Even though initially there was recall of only the 56 registrations, every TX4 will have modifications of some type
[edit] Private users
In April 2009, Stephen Fry (who habitually drives a black cab) announced that he had acquired a TX4 for personal use.[6]
[edit] External links
- London Taxi Company - manufacturer and main UK site
[edit] References
- ^ Good news travels fast! TX4, from TBF News, Spring 2007, Issue 07, page 13
- ^ http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/07/prepping-for-2012-summer-olympics-fuel-cell-powered-london-taxi/
- ^ "Shanghai LTI Starts Supplying SKD TX4 to the UK". ChinaAutoWeb.com. http://chinaautoweb.com/2010/08/shanghai-lti-starts-supplying-skd-tx4-to-the-uk/.
- ^ a b "Geely Englon SC7-RV Concept, TX4 Made Youthful: Auto Shanghai in Pictures". ChinaAutoWeb.com. 2011-04-25. http://chinaautoweb.com/2011/04/geely-englon-sc7-rv-concept-tx4-made-youthful-auto-shanghai-in-pictures/.
- ^ "Fires force black cabs off roads". BBC News Online. 2008-09-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7619583.stm.
- ^ Fry, Stephen (2009-04-20). "Picked myself out a very fine black TX4...". Twitter. http://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1564877139.
