Nissan will be launching an LPG powered taxi version of its NV200 Vantette in its home country. Nissan NV200 has been launched in India under the name of Evalia. This taxi has been designed for local commercial use and will be launched on the 30th of August.
The taxi can run on both LPG and petrol. The driving mode can be changed by the driver as per his desire via a switch fitted inside the car cabin. The NV200 LPG will have a fuel capacity of 45 liters and LPG capacity of 38.6 liters. As if now we have no info regarding the performance characteristics of this vehicle. One thing can be said for sure that NV200 LPG will release lesser amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and so it should taxed accordingly.
Nissan NV200 has been a huge hit in the domestic as well its international market. The car is considered to be the best selling “van” in the world. The car’s biggest USP is its spacious interior. There is comfortable leg room for the passengers in all the 3 rows. The luggage carrying capacity of the car is quite huge even without moving the third seat row. The car offers a great mileage and comfortable journey. As a result it soon gained popularity among the foreign nations and is nominated to be the future face of the London Taxi and European Cabs. The only drawbacks were its boxy appearance and butterfly windows on the sliding door. The 2nd row did not have AC vents which could be a problem in hot climate. But this will soon be taken care of by the facelifted Evalia.
Now this actual LPG powered Taxi version of NV200 will go on sale in the domestic market on the 30th of August. The vehicle will cost a total of 3.3 million Japanese Yen which is equivalent to Rs 19.91 lacs.
Now the question arises that since India already has Evalia on sale will it also get the taxi variant of Evalia? The answer can be a yes. Ashok Leyland, which is in an alliance with Nissan has recently unveiled its MPV Stile. The car is expected to go on sale in the coming festive season to get a great start for its 1st ever passenger vehicle. The company also displayed a CNG variant of the car at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Stile is equipped with a 1.5 liter diesel engine and it might soon see a CNG powered variant. Therefore, it is most likely that to keep Evalia in the race, Nissan might launch the bi- fueled NV200 or Evalia taxi in India as well.
NV200 although is a huge success in the overseas markets, Nissan has not been able to see that thrill in India. Evalia sales are consistently low. Nissan is trying all it can to create a demand for Evalia. It has trimmed down the car prices for now by Rs 1.5 lacs which is said to be a strategic move to make place for the facelifted Evalia which is soon going to arrive. If the new Evalia gets a good response then it is most likely that the new LPG and petrol powered taxi version will also be launched here.