TX4

Infobox Automobile


name = TX4
manufacturer = LTI
Geely Automobile
production = 2007—present
predecessor = TXII
successor = incumbent
body_style = 4-door saloon type

The TX4 is a purpose built taxicab hackney carriage manufactured by LTI (London Taxis International). It is the latest in a long line of purpose-built taxis manufactured by LTI (previously Carbodies). The design has evolved from the Austin FX4 which was eventually known as a "Fairway". The TX4 takes most of its body styling from its predecessor the TXII (there is no TX3). It now features a new front radiator grille, a new interior design, updated front and rear bumpers and a different rear number plate surround. There are now internal headrests (as a result of safety regulations) with two fitted to the central partition for the rear-facing tip-up seats, plus many other revisions.

The TX4 offers a 2.5 VM Motori diesel engine mated electronically to a GM Chrysler automatic transmission (also used in the Jeep Cherokee). A manual version is also available.

The engine and transmission are built on a fully-boxed hydroform frame and a separate body, due to the nature of its separate chassis construction.

The front suspension, as with its predecessors, is of the coil spring type while the rear suspension is no longer the old-fashioned leaf spring type having been replaced with coil springs. The front suspension now has an anti-roll bar like a modern car.

Anecdotally the reason for there being no TX3 and the marque number going straight to 4 is because the engine is Euro IV compliant and also for the vehicle to have a connection with the famous Austin FX4. [ [http://www.tbfthompson.com/news/issue7.pdf Good news travels fast! TX4] , from TBF News, Spring 2007, Issue 07, page 13]

China market

In January 2007, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the LTI's shareholders approved a joint venture with Geely Automobile to manufacture the TX4 in China.

Fire Issues

In September 2008, seven engine fires in a period of three months forced a partial recall of the TX4. A limited number of vehicles were affected and the Public Carriage Office required all models with a '56' registration plate to undergo safety checks otherwise drivers would lose their carriage licence.cite news| title=Fires force black cabs off roads| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7619583.stm| date=2008-09-17| publisher=BBC News Online]

External links

* [http://www.lti.co.uk/ LTI Vehicles - Manufacturer of the TX series of taxi cab, including the TX1, TXII and TX4]

References