LEVC, sebuah syarikat yang dimiliki oleh Geely yang terkenal dengan teksi London TX, akan mendedahkan model baru di China yang dipanggil LEVC L380. Ini adalah minivan sepenuhnya elektrik yang mengambil inspirasi daripada Airbus A380, dengan menumpukan kepada ruang dan keselesaan. Reka bentuk luaran mempunyai beberapa garisan yang mengingatkan orang kepada A380, dan ia mempunyai reka bentuk yang unik.
LEVC L380 mempunyai bahagian hadapan dengan lampu LED yang panjang, lampu depan di bumper, saluran udara yang ramping, dan cermin depan yang besar. Bahagian sisi mempunyai pemegang pintu yang sleek dan tingkap yang besar, menjadikannya reka bentuk yang ringkas. Bahagian belakang mempunyai lampu belakang yang mewah dengan reka bentuk LED yang futuristik.
Di dalamnya, ia datang dalam 6 atau 8 tempat duduk, dan ia fleksibel. Gambar-gambar menunjukkan tempat duduk yang boleh dilipat di belakang dan baris ketiga yang boleh dipindahkan untuk memberikan lebih banyak ruang kaki atau lebih banyak ruang simpanan.
Geely-owned LEVC, renowned for its TX London taxi, is set to unveil a new model in China – the LEVC L380. This fully electric minivan draws inspiration from the Airbus A380, emphasising spaciousness and comfort. The exterior design subtly incorporates lines reminiscent of the A380, aligning with the minivan’s single-box proportions.
The LEVC L380 features a front with a full-width LED bar, bumper-mounted headlights, slim intakes, and a generous windshield. The profile showcases flush door handles and large windows, maintaining a clean and straightforward appearance. The vertically cut tail is highlighted by full-width taillights with futuristic LED graphics.
Available in 6-seater or 8-seater configurations, the interior offers a flexible layout. Interior shots reveal a fourth row with foldable seats that can be stowed under the boot, along with a sliding third row that prioritizes either legroom or additional boot space.
The Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (commonly referred to as Geely) now owns many car companies, including Proton, but did you know that it also owns a company in England that originally produced the famous Black Cabs. Known today as the London EV Company Limited (LEVC), it was acquired in 2013 and has focussed on developing electrically-powered commercial vehicles.
Environment-friendly taxis
LEVC continues to produce taxis but they are environment-friendly vehicles now with zero emission electric powertrains. Due to their iconic background, the taxis are sometimes used for more than just ordinary transport and are purchased for more personalised use. One company which specialises in turning them into luxury models is luxury car specialist Clive Sutton.
Customisation for VIP taxis
The company’s bespoke coachbuilding division has developed customisation options for VIP LEVC Taxis. These can be appointed like a private jet for the road, with separated driver and passenger compartments. Customers can opt for a long list of luxury fittings from leather-clad, electronically-reclining heated rear seats with footrests, to a fibreoptic starlight roof, or electronic self-closing doors. Other features include built-in umbrella holders and a high-quality audio system.
Multiple seating configurations
The Sutton Bespoke team has created multiple configurations in which the taxi can be ordered. Customers can choose from a 4, 3, or even an ultra-spacious 2-seat set-up with a drinks fridge, on-board WiFi and Bluetooth as standard. Privacy can be upgraded as part of an optional exterior package that includes smoke-tinted rear windows, while a PlayStation or Xbox can be added for those with younger ones. The console is connected to a 20-inch media screen that is incorporated within a leather-clad divider, which separates the front and rear compartments.
“While many of our clients seek power, performance and stand-out style, another portion prefer discreet, unique, customisable luxury. Our Sutton VIP LEVC Taxi enables the most comfortable, spacious and private journey through the city with extravagant features usually reserved for superyachts and private jets,” said Clive Sutton, Founder and CEO of the company.
ECity range-extender
The LEVC TX Taxi uses the company’s ECity technology and is powered by an electric motor which drives the rear wheels. The motor is powered by a 31 kWh Drive Battery supported by a range-extender. This is an on-board generator (a small 1.5 litre petrol engine) that recharges the battery when required, and provides greater usability and flexibility than pure electric operation.
Running only on electric power on a typical driving pattern, the TX has a pure electric range equivalent to many of today’s BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). To further maximise the range offered by driving on electrical power, there is also regenerative coasting and braking. The braking system harnesses energy that would usually be lost while slowing down, and uses it to recharge the drive battery. This increases efficiency and reduces wear on braking components.
The famous London Taxi Company, the very same one that used the iconic Austin black cabs to shuttle passengers in and around the city, has been renamed to LEVC. The move is said to be part of the company’s transformation under parent company, Geely.
The name change was done to help position the company as more of an international entity, that is poised to serve the needs and wants of customers all over the world. The Chinese automotive giant has pumped in RM1.8 billion worth of investments with a goal of turning LEVC into the urban commercial vehicle provider of choice around the world. And to bolster this claim, the company also unveiled a new fully-electric London taxi, called the TX.
The car features styling that is a mix-and-match of the old and contemporary styling that has resulted in a rather bizarre looking black cab. It seems as though certain design elements and trim pieces were taken from that of contemporary generation Volvos, is is especially evident when it comes to the interior.
The TX is powered by eCity technology that comprises of advanced battery electric powertrain that is aided by a small petrol powered generator. Working in tandem, the system provides the TX with a range of 644km including more than 113km on pure electric power.
Speaking of the latest addition and changes to the company, Chris Gubbey, CEO, LEVC said, “The launch of LEVC marks Britain’s leadership as a first mover in creating the world’s only dedicated electric vehicle company for the urban commercial market. Drawing on the best of British design and engineering as well as technical expertise from our sister company Volvo, our products will help transform city living.”
The company says that the TX will be launched in London later this year because LEVC is still finalizing the quality and testing methods to evaluate the car’s readiness to function around the world. So far, the car has been taken to the Arizona desert to endure torturous heat under the desert sun as well as freezing temperatures in the Arctic Circle, the other extreme to the scorching Arizona weather.
All of this is being done to prove that no matter where the TX is driven, irrespective of weather conditions, it will function as it should. LEVC’s first international order of 225 vehicles has come from RMC in the Netherlands, which is one of the country’s largest taxi operators.
London is one of the pioneers in setting out tough emission standards to reduce taxi and van emissions. This has spurred the adoption of electric vehicles by commercial transportation operators in the city.
Eventually, this will be common practice around the world as governments take steps to reduce the impact they have on the environment.