At the Hanover Trade Show, Volkswagen, the renowned German automaker has introduced the VW Milano Taxi concept, a future, zero-emissions taxi vehicle driven by electric power unit. Planned for market launch in 2013, the Milano Taxi concept ride represents a city MPV styled specifically for the needs of the taxi drivers and their passengers, including details such as swivel-sliding door that opens in a forward direction and customizable taxi touch-screens.

The MPV ride's exterior draws its styling highlights by the legendary Volkswagen Samba bus and its two-tone paint – green and black – makes tribute to the fashion metropolis of Milan, at which the taxis were once painted in precisely this colour combination.

In the power compartment of the Milano Taxi concept, VW mounts an electric motor with peak power of 115 horsepower (85 kW) and continuous power of 65 horsepower (50 kW), which is supplied with energy via a lithium-ion battery integrated in the underbody. Thanks to the battery pack's capacity of 45 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the lightweight body - 1,500 kilograms - , the car is capable to cover distances of up to 300 kilometres on one charge. Furthermore, the Milano Taxi concept MPV boasts a V-max of 120 km/h and its battery can be recharged to up to 80 per cent in just one hour.

Volkswagen Milano Taxi concept (2010)
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