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LTI TXII

If you were going to spend your entire working life at the wheel of a car, you'd make sure it was going to be good, wouldn't you? So perhaps we should all be tapping into the 'knowledge' of cab drivers and choose a taxi as an alternative to a family MPV.

March 2002

If you were going to spend your entire working life at the wheel of a car, you'd make sure it was going to be good, wouldn't you? So perhaps we should all be tapping into the 'knowledge' of cab drivers and choose a taxi as an alternative to a family MPV.

After all, LTI's TXII can seat up to seven, has standard wheelchair access and should be unbeatable in town. This latest version is big news in the ranks, as the sturdy Nissan diesel which powered its predecessor has been replaced by Ford's 89bhp 2.4-litre Duratorq oil-burner. Next time you talk to cabbies, you'll find they're sceptical about the change, even though output is increased by eight per cent over the old engine, and torque is up 20 per cent to 200Nm at 2,500rpm.

The cockpit is surprisingly cramped for such a large vehicle, with the transmission tunnel encroaching awkwardly into the footwell, and there's no adjustment on the steering wheel.

It's also clear the cabin is built to last rather than look good, with cheap plastics and Eighties-style wood-effect trim that will leave 21st century car drivers cold. A 100,000-mile warranty proves the TXII is solid underneath, though. Driving it is more fun than you might think. Sure, the Transit-sourced engine isn't the most refined, the automatic gearbox changes with a clunk and the brakes feel wooden, but the steering is a revelation.

It's tempting to do U-turns at every opportunity to experience the turning circle. At 8.2 metres, it's half a metre less than a Smart's. Don't be fooled by the bumpy ride in the back of a cab, either - in the driver's seat it's as soft as a limo's. The back is the place to be, though, with lots of leg and headroom and separate heating controls. Yet best of all is the glass partition. Close it, switch off the intercom and you won't have to listen to the driver.

Taxis aren't the cutting edge in motoring dynamics, but the new Ford diesel engine makes life more bearable for cabbies. A TXII could be a fun alternative to a big MPV - but it's not cheap.

At a glance

* TXII out now, priced from

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