Toyota builds a London taxi…

Just as the TX4 is a symbol of London, gliding deferentially through jams and roadworks, so every true memory of Tokyo is a dull green three-box Toyota Crown Comfort or Nissan Cedric Super Custom. But these ancient and cramped vehicles might be nearing the end of the road.

Toyota has come up with a near-finished concept for a replacement, imaginatively called the JPN Taxi. It has more space, and is wheelchair-friendly. There's one rear side door, an electric slider. Perfect for the job.

A big screen displays fares and routes, and the air-con is specially designed to be effective in the back.

Because LPG is already the preferred fuel for Japanese taxis, the concept runs an LPG hybrid powertrain. It should bring extraordinarily low running costs, a smoke-free tailpipe and urbamn silence.

Best of all, it actually looks like a taxi. This at the same time as Nissan is trying to replace our beloved London cabs wiv sommink what looks like a van wiv windahs and no I ain't going sarf of the river this time of night mate.