Metrocab
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| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Website | www.newmetrocab.com |
Metrocab is a British manufacturer of taxicabs.
The company was known for producing the MCW Metrocab, latterly based in Tamworth in operation under various owners from 1989 to 2006. Various versions developed from the original MCW Metrocab were built over the years. Metrocab entered administration in 2006.
The Metrocab name was purchased by Frazer-Nash Research, in conjunction with Ecotive Limited. In 2014, they launched the New Metrocab, the first authorised electric-powered London black cab.[1]
History
MCW
The company was created by Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) as a taxicab manufacturing enterprise, producing the MCW Metrocab.
Reliant
In 1989, Reliant acquired Metrocab from MCW, and transferred the plant to Tamworth.[2]
Hooper
Following the collapse of the Reliant Group in 1991, Metrocab was bought out of receivership by the vehicle coachbuilder Hooper.[3] In December 2000 the company suspended trading,[3] and the corporate recovery firm of Leonard Curtis was appointed as administrators.[4]
Kamkorp
In June 2001, Kamkorp purchased Metrocab's assets from the receiver and restarted production under the new holding company Metrocab (UK).[5] In April 2005, Metrocab restarted production of the Metrocab after a 14-month suspension.[6] Production at Metrocab finally ceased in April 2006.[7]
Production of the original Metrocab ceased in 2006. In 2014, the electric-powered New Metrocab was launched. It is the first authorised electric-powered London black cab.[1]
The New Metrocab
- 98 MPG on the ECE101 Cycle and over three times more fuel efficient than comparable current London taxi
- 75% less CO2 than comparable current London taxi
- New Metrocab <65g/km CO2
- >560 km combined range
- Significantly lower running costs, typically saving a London cabbie £20 – 40 per day
- Zero-emissions mode and home charging via standard mains outlet
- >10 years in development and over a million powertrain test kilometres
- Six passenger seats (plus optional seventh passenger seat in the front)
- Designed to comply with London Taxi Private Hire (LTPH) regulations
Metrocab Technical Specification
GENERAL
- Range extended electric vehicle
- Designed to comply with London Taxi Private Hire (LTPH)regulations
- Capable of zero emission operation
- Vehicle health diagnostics and status telemetry system
VEHICLE DIMENSIONS
- Overall length:................................ 4,905mm
- Overall width:................................. 1,800mm
- Overall height:................................ 1,925mm
- Wheel base:.....................................3,181mm
VEHICLE WEIGHT
- Gross:................................................ 2,515 kg
PERFORMANCE
- Top speed:........................................ 80 mph (Restricted)
- Max gradient:................................... 1:3
- Emissions:......................................... <65g/km CO2
- Turning circle: ................................. 7.62m (designed to meet LTPH requirement)
- Regenerative braking
DRIVELINE
- Peak motor power:........................ 2 x 50 kW
- Peak wheel torque:........................ 2 x 1,400Nm
RANGE EXTENDER
- 1 litre petrol range-extender engine coupled to generator unit
- Fuel efficient urban and highway generating modes
- Meets Euro 5 emission standards
BATTERY SYSTEM
- Lithium-ion polymer large format cells
- Stored capacity:............................... 12.2kWh
- 3 kW on board charging
FEATURES
- Driver multi-function touch screen display and instrument cluster with colour display
- Passenger colour display
- USB charging socket
- Digital infotainment system
- Hands free telephone
- Air conditioning and heating
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- 3-seater rear bench seat - fore/aft adjustable for more luggage space when required
- 3 rear-facing flip-down seats
- 1 optional front passenger seat
- Full wheelchair access
- Panoramic glass roof
- Mood lighting
- Air suspension
Notes
- 1 2 Hilton Holloway, London's Electric Cab Goes Live, Autocar 11 February 2015
- ↑ "TAXICAB MAKE and MODEL HISTORY: Metrocab". London Taxi.
- 1 2 "Metrocab lays off 170 staff". Evening Standard. 2001-01-10.
- ↑ "Business Recovery - Black cab firm in red". Accountancy Age. 2001-01-17.
- ↑ "Metrocab to resume taxi manufacture in two weeks". The FT.
- ↑ "Metrocab rides into more promising future". The Independent.
- ↑ "London Taxi History: TODAY". London Vintage Taxi Association.
- ↑ http://newmetrocab.com/PDF/Metrocab_Press_Release-Multimatic_announcement.pdf