At first sight, the vehicle looks like a slice of science fiction futurism from “The Fifth Element”.
When we climb into the big, low-floored cab, designed to offer easy access to disabled people and wheel-chair users, everything feels familiar. Yet somehow it is also different: more comfortable and spacious than usual.
We’re at Hexagon Studios, the research and development centre of Turkish automotive manufacturer Karsan at Gebze in the outskirts of Istanbul.
Karsan is in many ways a classic Turkish company. Its Hexagon design studio has impressive computer-aided design capabilities. Its manufacturing facility in Bursa turns out some of Turkey’s most modern commercial vehicles. So I’ve come with experts, including Chris Gaunt from the British Chamber of Commerce in Turkey and Sernur Tatari and Sibel Bilgin from our UK Trade and Investment team, to explore the scope for co-operation with British companies.
One of the most impressive Karsan projects is for the “Future London Taxi” known at the Hexagon Studio as the Concept V1. Designed as a cab from scratch, it has a host of intriguing details including a glass roof giving amazing views to travellers and the potential for all-electric power. It also has superb facilities for people with impaired mobility.
Having examined the future taxi prototype at Karsan, I am confident this is a strong candidate for the streets of London and will excite a lot of people. We will be in close contact with Karsan on any aspect of their project which may involve investing in the UK; and will follow their campaign for the Future London Taxi with close interest.