Nissan NV200 on display at the "Taxi of Tomorrow" Design Expo

The exhibit will be open to the public November 1-5 at the Taxi of Tomorrow Design Expo. It will feature interactive displays that allows people to see the unique new features on the Nissan NV200.

The NV200 Taxi design reflects the collaboration of the general public, instead of a car company dictating how the taxi should have been built or modifying an existing vehicle. Input was taken from taxi owners and drivers, passengers of all kinds, and anyone else who could share their ideas on how to improve a taxi. Nissan designers and engineers listened and responded with the Nissan NV200.

Notable features include:
*A spacious and roomy cargo area to accommodate luggage for four passengers.
*A transparent roof panel to provide unique views of the city
*Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles for easy entry and exit
*USB charging access for passengers
*Independent, passenger controlled rear-seat heat/air conditioning with a grape phenol-coated air filter to improve cabin air quality
*Flat floor – with no hump to improve legroom and overall comfort
*Enhanced interior materials, which helps passenger cabin smell fresher
*Breathable, anti-microbial, easy-to-clean and environmentally friendly seat upholstery

“Over the past century, New York City’s taxis have become known around the world for iconic exterior styling,” said Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Fleet & Commercial Vehicles. “Now, with the NV200 Taxi, Nissan is bringing iconic design inside the taxi, while improving the comfort and safety of passengers and drivers. We’re committed to sustaining the New York City taxi’s heritage while meeting the modern needs of 600,000 passengers every day, and we’re looking forward to hearing New Yorkers’ feedback after they sit in this display property and fully experience the vehicle’s many first-of-a-kind features and amenities.”

To make the exhibit opening fun, the Discovery Channel will host a special social media edition itsTV trivia program “Cash Cab.” The show's host, Ben Bailey, will have people who influenced the design of the Nissan NV200 projects as contestants, live at the Design Expo. Blogger contestants who demonstrate mastery of taxi trivia, including details about Nissan’s NV200 Taxi, will accrue donations for a local charity of their choice. If you area Twitter and Facbook fan of Nissan, you can compete for a taxi prize pack as Ben will challenge you with questions via video.

“I’m excited to participate with Nissan in such a fun, social program to get the word out about New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow,” said Bailey. “As a licensed NYC cab driver, I’m looking forward to the improved comfort and safety the NV200 Taxi will offer both myself and the passengers.”

The Nissan NV200 reflects the ongoing collaboration with many organizations such as the Design Trust for Public Space and Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum. The project began in 2007 as an initiative to establish the vision for a next-generation New York City taxi. There was a rigorous evaluation process, and the Nissan NV200 Taxi was selected in May 2011 as NYC’s exclusive ‘Taxi of Tomorrow.’ The NV200 should begin to be seen on NYC streets in late 2013 and will be the taxi of the city for the next ten years.

If you are interested in seeing the Nissan NV200 at the ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’ Design Expo, it will be located at the pedestrian plaza across from the Flatiron building at Broadway and Fifth Avenue, and will be open to the public on Tuesday, Nov. 1, noon-9 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 2 through Friday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; and, Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Please contact Adam Yamada-Hanff – [email protected] – for comments, questions, or topics. You can also follow him on Twitter @AdamsAutoAdvice