Britain’s newest hackney taxi takes industry by storm

Launched at the beginning of May the new-style, purpose-built Peugeot E7 cab has attracted an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from taxi owners and drivers alike.

Record crowds turned out for the national launch events in Birmingham and Glasgow on 9th and 10th May. And the following week saw the stylish new cab steal the show at the national Private Hire & Taxi Exhibition, held at Coventry’s RICOH arena.

Mobbed

The Cab Direct stand – staring three new-model E7s – was, quite literally, mobbed with show visitors eager for a first look at the UK’s next generation hackney taxi. In fact the only things even more popular than the show stand E7s were the four fantastic looking demonstrators waiting outside.

Cab Direct marketing manager Alan Coyle commented: “I’ve been to a lot of taxi shows in my time by I’ve never seen anything quite like this.

“The response from the taxi trade has simply been amazing. Everywhere we’ve been people have been queuing up to see the New E7 and I’ve never been so busy taking people on test drives”.

Alan added: “All of us were kept going with demos all day long, one after the other. It was exhausting really but you were kept going because the response from the trade was just so positive.”

Advanced

Cab Direct sales manager, David Facenna, was also taken back by the reaction to the new E7.

“Everyone who’s seen the vehicle for themselves seems to be surprised just how far it’s advanced, both in terms of style and features.

“Drivers say they just love the look of the new vehicle but the real difference comes when they get behind the wheel,” continued David.

“People really seem to fall in love with the new E7 as soon as they get behind the wheel for themselves. We’ve had so many favourable comments on the new vehicle being so easy to drive and on the superb all-round visibility.

“Customers are also impressed with the comfortable driving position, high-quality

driver’s seat and handy centre-console.”

Manufactured jointly by Peugeot and Cab Direct, the all-new E7 has been fully tested to the highest safety standards and achieved full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (Type Approval number e11*2001/116*0315 ) ahead of its launch.

Fuel Saver

For all its good looks the heart and soul of New E7 lies in its Peugeot HDi engine. Leaders in diesel technology since 1928, Peugeot’s latest generation diesels are even more fuel-efficient even than their celebrated predecessors. Add to this the E7’s striking new low-profile taxi signage and you have the recipe for a supremely economical hackney taxi.

Cab Direct development engineer Ian Hopley commented: “We all know how the price of fuel has risen so we set out to create the most fuel-efficient taxi possible.

“We knew we were on to a winner with the superb HDi engine, which of course has been designed and tested specifically with this vehicle and gearbox.

“However we also invested in wind-resistance tests to ensure maximum fuel efficiency on the road. That’s why we’ve gone for stylish new, low-profile signage, which fits in with the natural air-flow past the vehicle and therefore minimises drag which could otherwise cost taxi owners more on fuel.”

Features

New E7 also offers many other key features to benefit the modern day taxi driver.

From a safety angle, there’s not just ABS but advanced, four-channel ABS, supported by a state-of-the-art Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), designed to help you avoid skids, even in wet and difficult road conditions. Should the worst ever happen and someone ploughs into you, New E7 drivers will also have the added reassurance of an extremely protective vehicle shell, combined with front and side airbags.

As far as comfort and convenience goes, New E7 offers ample storage bins in the spacious driver compartment, which has both variable heating and air conditioning. The passenger compartment is also even more spacious and more comfortable. There’s also increased flat-floor area and headroom for loading, turning and securing wheelchair passengers.

The E7 SE and XS also benefit from the revolutionary and original EasyGlide pull-out wheelchair ramp. You’ll love the staggering 70% increase in luggage space as well not to mention, for the first time ever, the option of the long wheelbase E7 plus – ideal for regular airport fares.

Hotcakes

Given the huge interest in New E7 it comes as no surprise that orders have already been flooding in.

“We’ve already stepped-up production to cope with the influx of orders for New E7,” said Cab Direct Managing Director Paul Nelson.

“New E7 is off to a flying start and looks well set to continue E7’s place as the market leader.

Paul concluded: “This has to be excellent news, not only for Cab Direct but for the hundreds of hard-working men and women employed here in Britain, both at our main assembly plant and by our many supply chain companies across the UK.”