Geely unveils next generation of a London icon

A Geely TX5 black cab is displayed at a creative industry event at Lancaster House in London, Britain Oct 21, 2015.[Photo provided to China Daily]

The London Taxi Company unveiled the new design for its next generation zero-emission-capable black cab in London on Wednesday.

A prototype of the new TX5 was displayed at "Creative Collaborations: UK & China", a creative industry event held at Lancaster House in central London. President Xi, his wife Peng Liyuan, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge all attended the TX5's unveiling at the event which showcases cultural collaboration between China and the United Kingdom.

"We are excited to unveil the TX5 prototype design for the first time. The new vehicle has a wealth of new features, which will all be tried and tested and then tested again to provide a perfect balance of timeless design driven by ground-breaking technology," Peter Johansen, CEO of The London Taxi Company, told China Daily.

The TX5 captures the spirit of past generations of the cab such as the Fairway series and draws on the iconic vehicle's more than 60 years of style, which has made it a distinctive presence on the streets of London. While maintaining recognizable key features, the new zero-emission-capable TX5 has been updated to reflect the needs of today's passengers and the move towards a low-carbon economy.

In addition to a new lightweight aluminum body structure and composite paneling, the TX5 benefits from a plug-in range-extended hybrid electric drive system that ensures no distance anxiety and the reliability required by London's black cab drivers.

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd, bought the iconic London Taxi Company in 2013, and the new vehicle was designed at Geely's design center in Barcelona, led by British designers Peter Horbury and David Ancona, who were supported by a 200-strong team of engineers and designers based in the UK.

"We were acutely aware of the huge responsibility that comes with introducing a new generation of design for what is already an instantly recognizable and iconic vehicle," Horbury said.

Before joining Geely in 2012, Horbury was chief designer at Ford and was responsible for overseeing the design process at marques including Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.

"We wanted to retain those aspects that make the London taxi what it is and what it stands for, while ensuring that the new design reflects everything that a 21st century vehicle needs to be," said Horbury.

That means the TX5 has been designed with an overriding focus on the comfort of passengers and drivers.

According to Horbury, the design team has sought to build on existing features such as the headlights, grille and strong roof lines. "But we have also made sure that the new vehicle significantly builds on space and comfort levels for both passengers and drivers."