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#1
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On 20/02/2011 22:05, Bruce wrote:
Mizter wrote: On Feb 20, 8:03 pm, wrote: "Graham gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: I saw a Mercedes (Vito?) based black cab today. I've seen a couple previously but a thought occurred today. I have this recollection that, at some point in the past, one of the requirements for a black cab was a minimum turning circle and that was a part of the reason why we had unique vehicles. Was I dreaming and have they changed the requirement? No, you weren't dreaming. No, they haven't changed the requirements. The Merc Vito "black cabs" have rear-wheel steering to enable them to meet that particular requirement. http://www.randle.co.uk/clients/One80_1.html The video's worth watching... They still don't look quite right though - I think I'd feel a bit short changed if I got one! That said, a single company having a stranglehold of the supply of vehicles which complied with the Hackney carriage spec was hardly an ideal situation. A relative runs a black cab business in London and had a Vito Taxi on trial for a month last year. He was very happy with it, particularly when it came to carrying people in wheelchairs, something the Fairway (traditional black cab) is very weak at. He said it was also particularly comfortable for the driver, which is not something that anyone could truthfully claim of the Fairway. But his regular customers didn't like the Vito, and neither did the drivers he employs, probably because it was unfamiliar to them and the drivers probably needed some time to get used to it. Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? |
#3
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Mercedes Black Cabs
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#4
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On 2011\02\21 03:39, Basil Jet wrote:
On 2011\02\20 23:49, wrote: Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? The Vito uses less diesel, because it weighs less. If you ever choose to take part in a head-on collision experiment between a Vito and a TX4, choose to drive the TX4. Although I've just found someone saying that the Vito is heavier than the TX4, so... just ignore me |
#5
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Mercedes Black Cabs
Basil Jet wrote:
If you ever choose to take part in a head-on collision experiment between a Vito and a TX4, choose to drive the TX4. My unequivocal choice would be to drive the Vito. Mercedes-Benz has always been at the forefront of passenger safety*. The Vito, which is sold as a passenger vehicle under the Viana name, gets very good ratings in Euro NCAP crash tests. Meanwhile, the TX4/Fairway has never had a Euro NCAP test. * The current main Euro NCAP test requirements for oblique frontal impact are taken directly from the design criteria for the Mercedes-Benz W124 E Class first introduced in 1983. Every Mercedes-Benz model introduced since 1983 has achieved the equivalent of a five-star Euro NCAP result in that impact test. Mercedes-Benz cars also have to withstand the same oblique *rear* impact, a requirement that Euro NCAP has yet to adopt. This meticulous approach to passenger safety is one of many reasons why my last four cars have all been Mercedes-Benz. |
#6
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On 21/02/2011 03:39, Basil Jet wrote:
On 2011\02\20 23:49, wrote: Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? The Vito uses less diesel, because it weighs less. If you ever choose to take part in a head-on collision experiment between a Vito and a TX4, choose to drive the TX4. Thanks for the tip. |
#7
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On Feb 21, 9:03*pm, " wrote: On 21/02/2011 03:39, Basil Jet wrote: On 2011\02\20 23:49, wrote: Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? The Vito uses less diesel, because it weighs less. If you ever choose to take part in a head-on collision experiment between a Vito and a TX4, choose to drive the TX4. Thanks for the tip. Where and when is this experiment going to take place? |
#8
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:03:16 +0000
" wrote: On 21/02/2011 03:39, Basil Jet wrote: On 2011\02\20 23:49, wrote: Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? The Vito uses less diesel, because it weighs less. If you ever choose to take part in a head-on collision experiment between a Vito and a TX4, choose to drive the TX4. Thanks for the tip. I'd ignore his tip. Weight means nothing if the body crumples like a squashed egg or worse does crumple at all and the driver absorbs the entire impact through his skull and chest. Mercedes like most other big manufacturers have spent billions on researching crumple zones and other forms of crash protection. Does anything honestly think that LTI with its antique taxis design thats barely changed in 2 decades is going to better that? I think not. B2003 |
#9
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Mercedes Black Cabs
" wrote:
On 20/02/2011 22:05, Bruce wrote: Mizter wrote: On Feb 20, 8:03 pm, wrote: "Graham gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying: I saw a Mercedes (Vito?) based black cab today. I've seen a couple previously but a thought occurred today. I have this recollection that, at some point in the past, one of the requirements for a black cab was a minimum turning circle and that was a part of the reason why we had unique vehicles. Was I dreaming and have they changed the requirement? No, you weren't dreaming. No, they haven't changed the requirements. The Merc Vito "black cabs" have rear-wheel steering to enable them to meet that particular requirement. http://www.randle.co.uk/clients/One80_1.html The video's worth watching... They still don't look quite right though - I think I'd feel a bit short changed if I got one! That said, a single company having a stranglehold of the supply of vehicles which complied with the Hackney carriage spec was hardly an ideal situation. A relative runs a black cab business in London and had a Vito Taxi on trial for a month last year. He was very happy with it, particularly when it came to carrying people in wheelchairs, something the Fairway (traditional black cab) is very weak at. He said it was also particularly comfortable for the driver, which is not something that anyone could truthfully claim of the Fairway. But his regular customers didn't like the Vito, and neither did the drivers he employs, probably because it was unfamiliar to them and the drivers probably needed some time to get used to it. Is there any noticeable difference in petrol costs? Yes, it uses significantly less fuel than its competitor. Vito Taxi users are quoting a 15-20% reduction in fuel consumption. Mercedes-Benz is a world leader in automotive diesel technology. The four cylinder 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine in the Vito Taxi is almost identical to the engine that is fitted to some Mercedes-Benz C Class and E Class models where it returns well over 40 mpg. Let's not forget that Mercedes-Benz cars are used as taxis all over mainland Europe and beyond, and have been for over half a century. |
#10
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Mercedes Black Cabs
On Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:49:24 +0000
Bruce wrote: Let's not forget that Mercedes-Benz cars are used as taxis all over mainland Europe and beyond, and have been for over half a century. The only reason they're not used here is the silly rules required for taxis which effectively gave LTI a near monopoly for decades. Its the same in new york except there whatever the rules are , they don't seem to take utility into account as anyone who's been squeezed into the reverse tardises they use can attest to. Frankly I'd sooner have an accident in a normal car than the prehistoric bus that LTI churn out and since minicab firms use standard cars quite succesfully theres no argument for them not to be used by black cab drivers. B2003 |
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