LTI TX4: the last of the classic London cabs

The TX4 is a purpose-built taxicab, a hackney carriage, manufactured by The London Taxi Company from 2007 to 2017. It was the final development of the classic London taxi shape, which had evolved through several mutations from the Austin FX3 of the 1950s.

LTI TX4 at a glance

History of the LTI TX4

An updated TX

The TX4 replaced the TXII in 2007 with a new front radiator grille, an updated interior, updated front and rear bumpers and a different surround for the rear number plate. EU safety regulations brought internal headrests; on earlier cars two headrests were fitted to the central partition for the rear-facing tip-up seats, but these were later removed because drivers found them awkward for visibility. The model number skipped TX3, reportedly because the engine was Euro 4 compliant and to recall the Austin FX4.

Engineering

The only engine offered in the UK was a 2.5-litre VM Motori R425 DOHC diesel rated at 75 kW (101 hp) and 240 N·m, mated to a Chrysler 545RFE five-speed automatic; an Eaton FSO 2405 A five-speed manual was also available. Outside the UK the TX4 could be had with a 2.4-litre Mitsubishi 4G69 petrol engine of 112 kW (150 hp) and 212 N·m, with a Mitsubishi five-speed manual as the only gearbox. Like its predecessors it used a fully boxed hydroformed ladder frame with a separate body, double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs and an anti-roll bar, and a solid rear axle with coil springs and a Panhard rod. The diesel was later updated to Euro 5 and then Euro 6 with a 2.8-litre VM Motori.

Hydrogen and China

The HyTEC project put five hydrogen fuel cell London taxis on the road, developed by Intelligent Energy and The London Taxi Company and fuelled at Heathrow; the prototype, built with Lotus Engineering, had a range of 250 miles and a top speed of over 80 mph. In January 2007 LTI shareholders approved a joint venture with Geely called Shanghai LTI, and TX4 production in China began in July 2008. Geely sold the cab as the Englon and planned a restyled TXN, while a concept family saloon called the Englon SC7-RV was shown in 2011. In 2013 The London Taxi Company became a Geely subsidiary.

Troubles and the end of the line

In September 2008 about fifteen engine fires in three months forced a partial recall, and in 2012 the company recalled 400 cabs over a steering box defect. The TX4 was the last of the classic TX shape: production ended in 2017, when the zero-emission-capable electric LEVC TX took over.

Design and features

• VM Motori diesel: a 2.5-litre R425 unit of 75 kW and 240 N·m, later enlarged to 2.8 litres for Euro 6.
• Separate chassis: a fully boxed hydroformed ladder frame under a separate body, as on every London taxi before it.
• Purpose-built cab: the turning circle, partition and tip-up seats are designed around the London trade.
• Worldwide sales: the TX4 served in cities from Baku and Berlin to Singapore, Sydney and Las Vegas.
• Chinese production: built by Shanghai LTI from 2008 and sold by Geely under the Englon brand.

LTI TX4 versions

• TX4 diesel (2007–2017): the UK model with the VM Motori engine and Chrysler automatic or Eaton manual.
• TX4 petrol export: the 2.4-litre Mitsubishi-engined version sold outside the UK.
• TX4 Euro 5 and Euro 6: later emissions updates, the last with a 2.8-litre VM Motori.
• Hydrogen fuel cell TX4: five HyTEC project cabs with a 250-mile range.
• Englon TX4 / TXN: the Chinese-built and restyled versions from Shanghai LTI.
• LEVC TX (from 2017): the electric successor that ended the classic line.

The TX4 followed the LTI TXII and the LTI TX1, and it was the last of the line that began with the LTI Fairway. More cars are in the LTI collection.

Sources

• TX4, English Wikipedia: design, engines, chassis, hydrogen project, Chinese production, recalls