Toyota JPN Taxi

The Toyota JPN Taxi is a taxicab sold by Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota Motor East Japan East-Fuji Plant is in charge of manufacturing for the Japanese market.

Toyota JPN Taxi (NTP10)
A Nihon Kotsu Toyota JPN Taxi.
Overview
ManufacturerToyota
Also calledToyota Comfort Hybrid (Hong Kong)
ProductionOctober 2017 – present
AssemblyJapan: Shizuoka Toyota Motor East Japan (East-Fuji plant)
Body and chassis
Body style5-door station wagon
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
PlatformToyota B platform
RelatedToyota Sienta hybrid (XP170)
Powertrain
Engine1.5 L 1NZ-FXP I4
Electric motor
  • 2LM AC synchronous motor
  • 45 kW (61 PS)
Transmission1-speed planetary gear
Hybrid drivetrainFull hybrid (THS II)
BatteryNickel–metal hydride
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,750 mm (108.3 in)
Length4,400 mm (173.2 in)
Width1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height1,750 mm (68.9 in)
Chronology
Predecessor

It is based on the JPN Taxi Concept that was exhibited at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in 2013. It is a successor to Toyota Comfort and Toyota Crown Sedan.

Design

The passenger door on the driver's seat side is a hinged door that can easily distinguish the opened and closed state from the front and rear, and prevent the passenger from jumping forward.[1]

The vehicle is based around a "universal design" model. The rear passenger door is an electrical slide door and it is possible to get on and off in a wheelchair.[2] The rear seats also fold up, and a ramp folds out, to accommodate wheelchair passengers.[3]

The powertrain is based on the hybrid system "THS II" and newly adopted "LPG hybrid system" compatible with LPG fuel.[4] The engine uses 1.5L 1NZ-FXP, and an electric water pump that does not require auxiliary belt maintenance.

The battery is nickel hydride. In order to realize a flat floor, the battery is thin and placed under the floor, and the vehicles exterior dimensions are in compliance with the Japanese Government's dimension regulations that allow tax savings for commercial use.

The dashboard and centre console differ from the related Toyota Sienta to allow the fitment of equipment for taxi operation, including an easily-accessible hazard light button on steering wheel at the driver's right thumb.

The rear cargo area is spacious enough to hold two large suitcases or four golf bags, while the passenger compartment offers nine inches of headroom due to its high roof.[2] The vehicle comes equipped with built-in soundproofing and air purification, while the high-end "Takumi" model includes a ceiling-mounted air circulator and a heating system for the rear seats.[4]

Safety

The JPN Taxi is equipped with 6 SRS (driver, passenger, front side & curtain) airbags as standard as well as Toyota Safety Sense.[5] The JPN Taxi also received a 5-star safety rating from JNCAP.[6]

Production and sales

The JPN Taxi is manufactured at the Toyota plant in Higashi-Fuji, Shizuoka Prefecture, along with the Toyota Century, Toyota Porte and Toyota Spade. Toyota plans to move production to one of its north-eastern plants in Miyagi Prefecture or Iwate Prefecture by 2020.[7][8]

As of May 2018, the JPN Taxi accounted for around 10% of Tokyo taxis, while the traditional Toyota Comfort model accounted for around 70%. By mid-2020 (the now-cancelled 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo), Toyota expects the JPN Taxi to account for about one-third of the Tokyo fleet.[3]

It debuted in Hong Kong in July 2018, sold as the Toyota Comfort Hybrid.[9] They were officially launched on January 2019.[10]

They're officially distributed by Crown Motors.[11] As of May 2019, 17 Comfort Hybrids are in service and are due to replace the Crown LPG taxis.[11]

Four of the taxis were brought to Hong Kong initially for research and field testing before they were adopted into service.[12]

  • Rear view
  • 1NZ-FXP Engine with 2LM
  • Interior
  • Toyota Comfort Hybrid in Hong Kong

References
  1. Brodie, James (2017-10-24). "Toyota JPN Taxi revealed ahead of Tokyo Motor Show". Auto Express. UK. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  2. Nishimoto, Alex (2017-10-23). "Toyota JPN Taxi is Japan's New Hybrid Cab". Motor Trend. US. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  3. Tarrant, Jack (2018-05-23). "Taxi! Tokyo prepares for Olympic tourism boom with accessible cabs and international drivers". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  4. "Toyota Rolls Out New Model for "JPN Taxi"" (Press release). Japan: Toyota. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  5. CORPORATION, TOYOTA MOTOR. "Toyota Rolls Out New Model for "JPN Taxi"". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  6. 邱志翔. "日本有史以來最安全的計程車！Toyota JPN TAXI獲JNCAP五顆星評價 - CarStuff 人車事". www.carstuff.com.tw (in Chinese). Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  7. Oshikiri, Tomoyoshi (2018-07-14). "Toyota strains to maintain output levels in Japan". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  8. "Toyota to cease production at Shizuoka plant over next few years". The Japan Times Online. 2018-07-20. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  9. Chan (2019-01-09). "Opposite Fare". Opposite Lock. US. Retrieved 2019-05-05.
  10. Yau, Cannix (2019-01-25). "First hybrid Toyota taxis hit Hong Kong roads, but wider use will need incentives, industry says". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  11. Yau, Cannix (2019-02-07). "New green engines for Hong Kong's iconic red taxis could give beleaguered industry a makeover". South China Morning Post. Hong Kong. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  12. Markowski, Robert (2017-12-06). "Hong Kong renews LPG taxi fleet". gazeo. Poland. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
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