Hasta La Ideas

Dezeen Wire: car brand Nissan has unveiled its design for a new fleet of black cabs for London.

The Nissan NV200 London Taxi features a glass roof for better sightseeing.

The rear has sliding doors and accommodates three passengers on a bench facing forwards plus two on flip-down seats facing backwards.

There are also anchors for a wheelchair and the rear seats are on sliders to create more space when required.

The front passenger seat has been removed to make more room for carrying luggage.

Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and New York, and subject to testing the diesel version is expected to be available to London cab drivers later this year.

An all-electric version is also set to undergo trials in London next year.

Here’s some more information from Nissan:

Nissan unveils a new Hackney Carriage for the Capital

» Affordable and 50% more fuel efficient, than alternative cabs
» Complies with TfL regulations, including 25ft turning circle
» All-electric e-NV200 prototype London Taxi to be tested in 2013
» Fully backed by London Mayor, Boris Johnson, the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association and disability groups
» Designed for superior comfort, space, convenience and accessibility
» Nissan has unveiled a bold new vision for the future of the London ‘black cab’ and its 300,000 daily users – the Nissan NV200 London Taxi.
» The NV200 London Taxi will offer significantly reduced CO2 outputs compared to current taxi models – a focus in line with the Mayor Boris Johnson’s Air Quality strategy for London.

An all-electric e-NV200 concept is also set to undergo trials in the Capital. The Mayor has joined disability groups and the influential London Taxi Drivers’ Association in welcoming the launch of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi.

Taxi versions of the NV200 have already been unveiled in Tokyo and it has also been chosen as the exclusive New York City ‘Taxi of tomorrow’. The NV200 London Taxi joins an exciting global Nissan vision for the private hire industry.

Nissan has a respected place in the Capital’s taxi history – its 2.7-litre TD27 diesel engine was chosen for the iconic LTI FX4 ‘Fairway’ black cab, which introduced improved speed, reliability and efficiency to the London cabbie’s daily drive. The same engine also featured in the Fairway’s successor, the TX1.

The NV200 will build on this reputation.

Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, said: “Nissan already has a great footing in the London taxi market – the 2.7-litre diesel that featured in some of the early taxis was one of the greatest engines ever put in a cab. From what I’ve seen of the NV200 London Taxi, it ticks all the right boxes. It’s important that it looks like a cab, is comfortable with good ingress and egress and is reliable. If the fuel consumption figures are as promised, it will be a big seller.”

Designed from the inside out for the well-being of passengers, drivers and even other road users, the NV200 London Taxi is more efficient and more environmentally considerate than current ‘black cab’ models, while delivering more comfort, space and convenience for occupants. A particular focus was also placed on providing for passengers with mobility issues.

Alan Norton, from Assist UK, said: “Assist UK is proud to be associated with Nissan in the development of an accessible taxi to meet the needs of all disabled people. We have had the opportunity to bring together experts from all fields of disability to work with designers to ensure the vehicle will work for all in their transport needs. The work is ongoing and future refinements are planned after the initial launch, as many ideas have been discussed and are currently undergoing development. We congratulate Nissan for its initiative and wish them every success with their project.”

Durable and reliable, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi is based on the company’s multi-purpose NV200 compact van – a vehicle which has won many awards including International Van Of The Year. Launched at end of 2009, the model has been introduced to 40 countries, selling over 100,000 units worldwide.

The Nissan NV200 London Taxi comfortably seats five adults – three on a rear bench with two on rear-facing, fold-down seats. The front passenger seat has been removed to create space for luggage.

A stand-out feature is the taxi’s sliding passenger doors, which were developed for easy open and close. They are also much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles because they do not swing out to create a potential obstruction.

The diesel version of the Nissan NV200 London Taxi is expected to be competitively priced below the new TX4 – the London Taxi Company’s current model – and will be available through a designated ‘specialist’ Nissan dealer.

Nissan’s NV200 also delivers significantly improved running costs than alternative London cabs. The model’s frugal 1.5 dCi 89 HP EuroV, 6-speed manual drivetrain achieves 53.3mpg on a combined cycle meaning almost 50% fuel saving than the most efficient TX4 with its combined cycle figure of 35.3mpg.

Fuel costs account for around 10 percent of taxi driver overheads. Over the course of a year, NV200 London Taxi drivers would spend around 50% less – about £700 – on fuel than TX4 drivers.*

With a focus on improving air quality in the city, the NV200 London Taxi’s Euro V engine only emits up to 139g/km of CO2, compared with 209g/km from the ‘greenest’ TX4 model. As a relevant simulation, if all of London’s licensed taxis were replaced with the NV200 London Taxi, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes each year – the equivalent of planting 10,000 acres, or two Congestion Charge zones, of trees every 12 months.

More importantly, the harmful NOx and PM (particulate) gases on which authorities are seeking particular improvement in ‘clean air’ legislation, would be reduced by an estimated 135 metric tonnes and 20 metric tonnes per year.

An all electric version could have an even bigger impact on London’s air quality. Having been the first car manufacturer to mass produce a 100% electric family car with its trail-blazing Nissan LEAF, Nissan could cement its place at the forefront of motoring technology with the introduction of an all-electric e-NV200 London Taxi. With running costs estimated to be around one fifth of a conventional, diesel-powered Hackney Carriage it is likely to be popular with drivers too.

Discussions with all the stakeholders will continue to try and make an e-NV200 a realistic proposition by increasing investment in charging infrastructure.

Subject to final testing, including a crash-test, the diesel-powered Nissan NV200 aims to receive full London Taxi certification later this year.

The extensive modifications to the standard NV200 ensure the model fully conforms to the regulations set in the TfL London Taxi Conditions of Fitness. These include being able to accommodate a wheelchair passenger and achieve a 25ft (7.6m) turning-circle – a legal requirement for all Hackney carriages, said to originate from the small roundabout in front of the famous Savoy Hotel on The Strand that taxis needed to round in one manoeuvre.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “Improving air quality in London is one of the most important challenges I face as Mayor. Having taken the significant step of introducing the first age limit for taxis in London, I am absolutely delighted that manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and are responding to the challenge I set in my air quality strategy to reduce taxi emissions and improve efficiency. I look forward to when a fully competitive model comes to market.”

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan, said: “Nissan is proud to be delivering a 21st century vision for one of London’s most iconic vehicles. The ‘black cab’ is as much a part of the London landscape as Big Ben and, whilst there will always be a place for that familiar silhouette, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi focuses as much attention on its interior as the exterior – a better experience for drivers and passengers.”

He continued: “The design process for the NV200 London Taxi was exhaustive and will be further improved. In addition to ensuring drivers would be comfortable spending extended hours behind the wheel, we’ve had to consider every user for this vehicle – there are no specific customer profiles in the back of a London cab. Adults, children, business professionals, foreign visitors, disabled travellers – they’re all potential customers. We’ve even considered those who might never get inside the taxi but who will benefit from features such as the model’s lower CO2 emissions or the un-obstructing sliding doors.

“The Nissan NV200 is a global taxi, launching in the biggest and brightest cities in the world. Safe, comfortable, efficient and convenient – it’s a great step forward for providing a transport solution that is good for both its users and other city inhabitants.”

The post NV200 London Taxi
by Nissan appeared first on Dezeen.

This luxury wooden speed boat is the latest model to be launched by Serbian yacht builders Art of Kinetik.

Antagonist is a 37-foot open weekend cruiser with a cockpit that’s spacious enough to hold a table and seating for eight people.

The yacht also features a sunbathing area and teak-covered decking around the swimming platform at the stern.

The the interior is fitted with designer fabrics and mood lighting.

See all our stories about yachts and boats »

Here’s some more information from Art of Kinetik:

Art of Kinetik, the producer of luxury wooden pleasure yachts, will this summer be launching a new model featuring the elegant lines, peerless finish and bespoke details that the company has become known for. Antagonist, a 37 foot open weekend cruiser, fits below the 63 foot Hedonist, the company’s flagship yacht.

Antagonist will be targeting all who want to spend a day on the water in style and in an environment not seen on any other yacht in its class. While smaller than Hedonist, the yacht continues the philosophy of elegant lines, superb craftsmanship, highest quality materials and plethora of bespoke details.

The main characteristic of the yacht is its unusually large open cockpit, providing both luxury surroundings and space for up to 8 people to spend a day in comfort, lounging, eating or sunbathing.

The uncompromising approach to beautiful design did not detract from providing the plentiful space and functionality required for relaxed time on the boat. Besides a large seating area in the cockpit featuring a multi functional table, there is also a spacious sunbathing area astern framed by two teak covered paths leading from the built in swimming platform.

Inside, a large air-conditioned interior with easy access from the cockpit provides a home like environment characteristic of the company’s previous yachts.

When launched in June 2012, Antagonist will show the evolution of the Art of Kinetik concept and philosophy and again demonstrate its unique combination of elegance and craftsmanship. It is destined to become a new benchmark in the weekend cruiser market segment.

The post Antagonist
by Art of Kinetik appeared first on Dezeen.

This bicycle that’s designed to grow with your child by Spanish designer Álex Fernández Camps has been awarded the top prize at the Delta Awards for industrial design at FADfest in Barcelona.

Most bikes allow for the handle bars and saddle to be raised but the Orbea Grow also has an expanding frame that can be lengthened in the middle.

The design will be on show alongside 55 shortlisted entries as part of an exhibition called FADexpo, the Best Design of the Year until 22 September.

The annual Delta Awards are organised by ADI-FAD, the industrial design arm of Spanish non-profit art and design organisation FAD.

Barcelona Design Festival continues until 5 October and encompasses FADfest from 26 June to 12 July and Barcelona Design Week from 1 to 5 October.

See all our stories about bicycles »

Here’s some more information from

Orbea Grow is a children’s bike designed with the idea of creating a simple, light-weight and quality vehicle that is easier to ride. Grow considers the need for durable, quality items, industrially and socially sensitive, better suited to improving our environment, using innovative concepts, designs, solutions and facts.

The unique element of Grow bikes is the ability to grow in size as the child grows so it can be used longer. Another advantage of Grow is the ergonomic fit that reduces economic and environmental costs, ensuring that each bike adapts to each child.

The post Orbea Grow by Álex Fernández Camps appeared first on Dezeen.

London studio Pengelly Design has created an airline seat that converts into a 2.2-metre-long bed for Virgin Atlantic.

Created in collaboration with the Virgin Atlantic design team, the seats were arranged four-abreast in a diagonal configuration that means all passengers have an aisle seat.

Carbon-fibre screens surround the chairs to integrate storage, reading lights and touch-screen monitors.

Simon Pengelly claims that it is is the longest flat business-class bed ever made.

The cabin design will be rolled out across all new Airbus A330 and Boeing 787-900 aircrafts.

See more transport design on Dezeen »

Here’s some more information from Pengelly:

New Upper Class Suite, Virgin Atlantic

We are proud to introduce Virgin Atlantic’s new Upper Class Suite designed by Pengelly Design in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Design. Together we’ve immersed ourselves in every aspect of the Suites’ development over the last four and half years and we’re thrilled with the result which is already on selected flights and will be installed on all of Virgin Atlantic’s new Airbus A330 aircraft throughout 2012 and on the new Boeing 787-900’s.

The team was tasked with designing a new passenger environment – a blank canvas with which to invigorate the flying experience with more luxury, comfort and a sense of discovery. The aim was to create a sophisticated and uplifting product developed to include some revolutionary features.

The development of the unique 4 abreast herringbone configuration has allowed us to fully optimize cabin space, giving more room to each passenger whilst actually increasing the amount of seats within the cabin, providing every passenger with their own aisle access, ensuring an uninterrupted journey.

The new Upper Class Suite has been designed with a ‘furniture aesthetic’, our speciality, moving it away from the traditional aircraft feel towards a more domestic and familiar experience, providing a secure, wonderfully private and calming space.

We’ve spent months shaping and reshaping the form of every surface and curve of the carbon fibre chair-surround to encapsulate all the functional features a traveller needs whilst ensuring each surround is as thin as possible to maximise personal space.

Every effort went into the provision of intuitive and easily accessible passenger elements in seat and bed mode in addition to providing as much individual storage as possible.

The chair itself features an innovative comfort system for aircraft seating that provides an unparalleled level of repose for long haul flight. This system also provides an equally high degree of comfort to the bed which at 87 inches is now the longest fully flat business class bed ever developed.

The Suite contains nothing superfluous, quietly understated it’s an environment in which to explore and discover your own space, the materials used are designed to enrich your journey and give you the sense of being looked after. Every feature cleverly designed, positioned and blended into the surround such as the flexible reading light, fold out cocktail tray and fully adjustable touchscreen monitor for ease of viewing in every chair and bed position.

Dezeen Wire: Dutch designer Hella Jongerius has revealed that she is designing a new interior for the World Business Class cabins of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Jongerius will also create new cabin seats, which will be installed inside the upgraded cabins of 22 Boeing 747-400s.

The designs will be unveiled later this year.

See more projects by Hella Jongerius here.

Here’s some more information from Hella Jongerius:

KLM revitalises its World Business Class cabin interior in association with leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has asked leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius to revitalise its World Business Class (WBC) cabin interior across the fleet. This will enable KLM to modernise its WBC product, uniting international allure with top Dutch design to emphasise a sense of pride in our Dutch heritage.

By cooperating in this unique manner with Hella Jongerius, KLM intends to create an entirely new Business Class look & feel. In addition to designing the interior, Hella Jongerius will shape the full-flat seats. Customer comfort and safety always form the premise, harmonising well with KLM’s brand values. This also fits into the broader context of other successful KLM initiatives in WBC with top Dutch chefs and fashion designers.

Erik Varwijk, Managing Director KLM: “By choosing to work with Hella Jongerius, KLM is opting to engage a top Dutch designer to help make our Business Class passengers feel at home on board. As a designer, Hella has broad experience which she can apply to the needs of KLM and its customers, in accordance with the specific requirements for cabin interiors in the airline industry. Her previous projects demonstrate her ability to process such criteria into top-quality designs such as the ‘polder sofa’, which is both comfortable and beautiful. With her expertise and focus on quality, she is keenly aware of what makes a brand unique. An outstanding match!”

Hella Jongerius: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to design the cabin interior and the new business class seat for KLM. The challenge is one of safeguarding individual comfort in amiable settings using innovations. In so doing, I can optimally combine traditional details, and my industrial textile and colour skills with high-tech functionality.”

KLM will begin revitalising the first aircraft in June 2013. The Boeing 747-400s will be converted first; a total of 22 aircraft. Further details of the design and the new seat will be published in the second half of 2012.