Tag Archives: LEVC

Motorsport

This Electric Minivan Was Built By The London Taxi Company

You’ve in all probability by no means heard of the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC). This is the agency that produces the resurrected London Taxi within the type of an electrical cab with a 1.5-liter Volvo-sourced engine appearing as a spread extender. LEVC is owned by Geely – the identical producer that additionally owns Lotus, Volvo, Smart, Zeekr, Polestar, and others – and is increasing its enterprise into new territory with the L380.

The single-box automobile has a minimalist design impressed by the Airbus A380 with a coast-to-coast LED strip on the entrance and principal beam headlights mounted within the bumper. From the facet, it appears fairly peculiar other than the flush door handles and the excessive greenhouse. What’s below the pores and skin is extra attention-grabbing, although.


News

Taxi maker LEVC reveals eight-seat luxurious MPV

LEVC, the maker of the London taxi, has revealed an electrical eight-seat MPV as the primary in a variety of recent “mobility solutions” it would launch within the coming years.

It’s referred to as the L380 in reference to the Airbus A380, the world’s largest airliner.

It has already been confirmed to go on sale in markets outdoors of China, the place will probably be constructed, after it is launched there in 2024, though LEVC refused to inform Autocar whether or not these will embody the UK.

The L380 relies on LEVC’s new Space Oriented Architecture (SOA), which was detailed in an event at the firm’s Coventry factory in May.

Capable of internet hosting EVs ranging between 4.86m and 5.95m in size, it is designed to optimise inside area, ease of entry, rolling refinement and vary – and can underpin a variety of huge industrial and passenger automobiles separate from the UK-built TX taxi and VN5 van.

Details revealed by Chinese media recommend the L380 measures 5316mm lengthy, 1998mm extensive and 1940mm tall and weighs 2805kg.

Its eight seats are organized throughout 4 rows of two, with the rearmost capable of be folded and stowed and the third row capable of slide backwards and forwards to spice up leg room.

A extra luxurious six-seater, little question with the requisite gear and performance to rival the brand new Lexus LM, will even be supplied.

LEVC will affirm full technical particulars subsequent 12 months, however early studies recommend the L380 might be supplied with the identical 268bhp front-mounted motor because the technically associated EM90 MPV from sibling model Volvo and a selection of both a 73kWh or 120kWh battery for a most vary of 432 miles.

LEVC has confirmed that the SOA platform will underpin EVs with greater than 536bhp from a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain, however it hasn’t but stated whether or not the L380 will supply a selection of outputs.

News

From the archive: on this day in 1937

The LEVC TX of modern London has a heritage stretching back to 1930, spanning over six generations of taxi.

In 1925, a new Tory government imposed tariffs on commercial vehicles to cover war costs. This made the expensive French Unic taxis unaffordable, leading Mann & Overton, a dealer, to ask Austin to create a new model.

Austin decided to reuse the chassis of their old “heavy” Twelve car. They kept the 27bhp four-cylinder engine but made adjustments to the gearbox and steering for a tighter turning radius.

Coachbuilders provided the bodies, usually landaulet style, which had extra height compared to other taxis. This earned them the nickname “high lot” and made them popular among top-hat wearers.

According to the 1906 Conditions of Fitness, one side of the taxi was open, which was unpleasant on wet and windy days. It had a squeezer horn and an external carburettor killer for security. The upright driving position offered excellent visibility, and combined with great maneuverability, it allowed the driver to confidently navigate seemingly impossible spaces.

The performance of the taxi was sufficient for city traffic, although attempting higher speeds, such as at Brooklands, proved to be “amusing.” The taxi’s weight of around 1420kg gave it a stable feel while driving, but the constant vibration from the metalwork countered the comfort of the leather-lined seating area.

It’s remarkable how little has changed in the past 86 years, yet also how much has.

Lancia’s Aprilia masterpiece

Lancia’s Augusta gained popularity in the UK in 1933, so there was anticipation for its successor, the Aprilia. This pillarless saloon achieved a new aerodynamic record with a coefficient of drag of 0.47Cd. Despite its humble 45bhp from the 1.4-litre V4 engine, it had a remarkably low weight of 890kg due to its unitary body construction (a concept developed by Lancia in 1922), resulting in brisk performance. The engine was so smooth and refined that it felt like a six-cylinder.

The Aprilia boasted fully independent suspension, a rarity at the time, providing exceptional riding comfort and a reassuringly safe handling experience. It was the final car designed by Vincenzo Lancia – truly a remarkable vehicle.

UK government fails to deliver on road-building promise

In 1935, with the effects of the 1931 European banking crisis fading and the number of cars in Britain reaching 2.5 million, the government decided to embark on a significant road-building plan. The Ministry of Transport announced a £100 million fund for this purpose.

However, by 1937, when an additional 500 vehicles were joining the traffic every day, there was very little noticeable progress. It was revealed that only £6.45 million had been spent in the first two years. We observed that the majority of funds were being allocated to national armament, which, in hindsight, turned out to be a good thing…