Merc black cab beater?

There's a new rival to the London black cab! Mercedes has teamed up with a fresh distributor to produce a taxi based on its Vito van.

Not only is the latest car more economical than the city’s famous LTI TX4, it also undercuts its rival’s top-spec variant, with a £35,000 price.

Until now, the TX4 has held a monopoly on the market with its five-seater cabin and ultra-tight 25-foot turning circle. But the newcomer can seat six, and is equipped with a rear-wheel steering system which enables it to turn in a space that’s just as small. Distributor KPM hopes that will increase the Vito’s appeal to London’s 25,000 taxi drivers. It plans to sell the newcomer at a showroom in central London.