Ford Debuts New Diesel and Hybrid Taxis

Taxis on the streets of New York

Ford, which was a major supplier of taxis in the United States with its Crown Victoria, produced from 1991 to 2011, introduced two new taxicab models Wednesday, one diesel, one hybrid  Both are available in School Bus Yellow.

The 2019 Ford Transit Connect Taxi is based on the new Transit Connect Wagon. Similar to the non-taxi version, the Transit Connect Taxi can be ordered with a 1.5-liter diesel four-cylinder engine, which is capable of returning 30 mpg (7.8 l/100 km). The Transit Connect Taxi seats five with a recessed second row seat. It has a taxi-specific wiring harness and optional roof access for top-mounted signs. It can also be configured to be wheelchair accessible, including a ramp.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid Taxi is based in part on Ford’s Police Responder Hybrid with heavy duty suspension, wheels, and brakes. Taxi-specific options include vinyl seating surfaces instead of the heavy-duty cloth, vinyl floors, and a dashboard mounting plate for the taxi meter.

The Fusion Hybrid Taxi is capable of returning 40 mpg (5.8 l/100 km) in city driving and 36 (6.5) on the highway.

The Fusion Hybrid Taxi is available now while the Transit Connect Taxi is a few months away.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)