London Taxi unveils plug-in hybrid cab

London Taxi has revealed its latest model of taxi cab, which is based on an all-new platform and features a new petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Unveiled late last night at an event in London, the new TX5 replaces the current diesel-powered TX4.

Claimed to have drawn inspiration from six decades of the iconic London black cab, the TX5 was designed at Geely's European design studio following the Chinese car maker's acquisition of London Taxi back in 2012.

Gaining an extra seat, the TX5 features a six-seat rear cabin layout that's also claimed to offer a 'more premium experience' - TX5 owners will be offered the option of a full-length panoramic roof.

Claimed to be based on all-new aluminium architecture, the TX5 has rendered the old car's separate chassis obsolete.

According to the Chinese-owned cab maker the TX5 will also use weight-saving composite panels and achieve the full five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Under the bonnet is a new three-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a range extender for a large battery pack that will provide a pure-electric range of up to 160km.

On sale later this year, the TX5 could soon be imported here following last year's $80 million deal to supply 1000 taxis to Australia and New Zealand.

In 2016 London Taxi made just 1000 TX4s, but expects production to ramp up following further restrictions on diesel-powered vehicles. It hopes, thanks to growing demand in Europe and overseas, production at its new facility will soon increase to 36,000 taxis a year.