Hasta La Ideas

Admittedly they’re not calling it that, and are instead using the boring “Taxi of Tomorrow.” But yes, NYC government officials have revealed photos of the three finalists in a competition to redesign the currently ever-evolving New York Taxi. Nissan, Ford, and a Turkish manufacturer named Karsan are behind the boxlike designs.

All three display a rather boring homogeneity, but it looks like the minivan form factor is a sure thing. I’d say the sliding doors of a minivan are a better design for the city, having seen more than one bicyclist crash into a suddenly-flung-open taxi door, and subsequently restore his honor by beating the living shit out of the door-flinger. Other than that details are pretty light. Each one boasts of roomier interiors, but that’s not hard to pull off when the incumbent is a Crown Vic, which made you feel like you were sitting in the back of a police car (because, well, you were).

The winner should be chosen by next year, and will be rewarded with a billion-dollar contract to supply all of Gotham’s hacks. We’re talking 13,000 vehicles over ten years, starting in 2014. It’d be nice to see a promotional commercial where Bobby De Niro drives the new cab to the Village and shoots up a whorehouse, but I’m guessing that’s not gonna happen.

Hit the jump to see the finalists (Ford, Nissan, and Karsan, in order).

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