MCW Metrocab
| Metrocab | |
|---|---|
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|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer |
Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) Reliant Hooper Kamkorp |
| Production | 1987-2006 |
| Assembly |
Washwood Heath, Birmingham Tamworth Westminster, London |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Taxi |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2,446 cc Toyota 2L-T turbodiesel I4 2,496 cc Ford FSD 425 DI diesel I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,900 mm (114.2 in) |
| Length | 4,505 mm (177.4 in) |
| Width | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Height | 1,755 mm (69.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,830 to 1,955 kg (4,030 to 4,310 lb) |
The MCW Metrocab is a taxicab that was manufactured between 1987 and 2000 and as the Metrocab TTT from 2000 to 2006. It was designed and originally produced by the British vehicle manufacturing company Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW), with ownership passing to Reliant in 1989, Hooper in 1991 and finally Kamkorp in 2000.
Weymann's Ltd and then Metro-Cammell-Weymann had built the Beardmore Mk 7 taxi until 1966, it was not a surprise that they sought to replace it with their own design, rather more that it took them so long to get a replacement into production.
The basic design of the vehicle dated back at least as far as 1970 when a prototype was caught in Westminster undergoing London trials. The overall profile of the vehicle closely matched that of the Metrocab as launched 17 years later, although the original front grill, taken from a 1970 Ford Cortina Mk II, was superseded by a more contemporary design by the time the vehicle entered production using headlamps and grille from the Ford Granada Mk 2. The taillight units came from the Escort Cabriolet, while the dash moulding is from the Austin Rover Maestro/Montego. It was presented in early 1987 and featured a particularly low floor to make entry and egress simpler.
The taxicab manufacturing business was sold by MCW to Reliant in 1989 and the vehicle remained in production with Metrocab, the new company. In 1997 the Series II Metrocab was announced with many cosmetic changes, in particular a new grille, bumper and light design. The Metrocab featured a range of different badges, reflecting its varied ownership; originally with the MCW logo, it then featured a Reliant badge, before the full Metrocab name was displayed on the leading edge of the bonnet in a similar style to Land Rover as part of the Series II facelift.
Prince Philip sometimes used a LPG equipped Metrocab around London.
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Wikipedia