John drives off 1,000th cab

Proud cabbie John Clarke is over the moon with his new London taxi – the 1,000th TX4 sold by dealership Mann & Overton London.

The TX4, the latest incarnation of the world-famous “black” cab, was launched by LTI Vehicles last October with a host of refinements over previous models, and has since broken all sales records.

The sales team at Mann & Overton London, in Brewery Road, were delighted to have clocked up 1,000 TX4s sold and handed over to customers when John Clarke, who has been a taxi driver in London for 12 years, arrived to pick up his new, purpose-built taxi.

And delighted John says it is an honour to be driving the cab, which he believes is the Rolls Royce of taxis.

“I did not need to test drive one before I bought it, I just knew I had to have one. It is the future,” said John, aged 58, who had a classic Fairway taxi previously.

“A few other drivers had bought a TX4 and said it was fantastic and I agree. It is like driving a Rolls Royce compared to other vehicles!

”It’s a pleasure to go to work in. I feel like I want to put in more hours. It is so smooth, there is a lot of torque and the visibility from the driver’s seat is amazing. A lot of passengers have commented on how good it is, particularly tourists.

“It is an honour to be driving the 1,000th TX4 sold by Mann & Overton London. When the dealer called me to say it was a landmark vehicle, I was quite taken aback.”

The TX4 has a Euro IV-compliant VM engine so it meets the latest emissions rules. It also has anti-lock brakes as standard, reworked suspension for a smoother ride and enhanced air conditioning, but retains the distinctive London cab shape.

Peter Rigden, General Manager of Mann & Overton London, based in Brewery Road, said: “Since its launch, the feedback we have had on the TX4 from drivers has been overwhelmingly positive. To pass our own 1,000 sales landmark so quickly is incredible.

“John is delighted with his TX4 and we wish him all the best in it.”