- Luxury coachbuilder Clive Sutton are converting the new electric London cabs
- The conversions offer luxury interiors but do not attract attention like large SUVs
This is the VIP electric taxi offering private jet-levels of comfort in a vehicle which is already a common sight on the roads of the capital.
Celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Kate Moss and Noel Edmonds all have owned former black London taxis because of the anonymity the vehicles provide when touring the city.
However, luxury car retailer and renowned coachbuilder Clive Sutton are offering new clients the chance to own a bespoke electric taxi.
They are turning the utilitarian people carrier into a luxury urban cruiser for £141,331.25, with a full range of upgrades.
Luxury coach builder Clive Sutton is offering the super rich the opportunity of buying an exclusive £141K black London Taxi
Unlike a traditional taxi, this has a fridge as well as club seats similar in style to those in a private jet
This places the LEVC VIP taxi in a similar price bracket to the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Range Rover – without attracting the ire of environmentalists and those opposed to the use of gas guzzlers in the city.
Outside, unless the owner decides on a custom paint job, the vehicle will look similar to other London taxis, apart from the lack a taxi plate on the rear.
Also, owners are given the opportunity to have the yellow taxi light removed.
Inside is where the real transformation happens, with a wide range of options.
Owners can opt to replace the standard, utilitarian layout, with luxury club seating similar in style to those found in a private jet.
Instead of three seats in a row facing forward, affluent owners can spec their limo taxi with just two seats and a centre console, providing cup holders and controls for the climate control system.
Other options include two rear facing jump seats with another centre console area.
Unsurprisingly, the LEVC VIP taxi has a state-of-the-art audio visual system with built in wifi.
Although, the wifi is not necessarily just for working while on the move, as for £750, the Clive Sutton will install a PlayStation 5 or an X-Box into the vehicle, offering the chance to play Call of Duty while stuck on the Marylebone Road.
Unfortunately, despite being based on the iconic London taxi, the owners will not be able to use bus lanes or taxi ranks as they will not be registered as public service vehicles. Sneaking into a bus lane could see the owner fined.
The car also comes with an audio visual system – which can include a PlayStation 5 as a £750 option
The cars offer the super rich the chance to travel across the city without attracting any undue attention
Another option includes ‘electric rear door closure’.
For £9,075, the new owner can enter the taxi and sit down while their driver presses a button to automatically close the door.
According to spokesman: ‘ Our passionate team of visionary engineers and stylists have over 20 years of experience building bespoke luxury passenger vehicles.
‘Having been based in London during that time, it is an honour to be working on designing and building the brand new Sutton VIP Class LEVC.
‘Currently in production is an awe-inspiring and totally unique London Taxi conversion, built to last and fully suitable for everyday use.
‘Clive Sutton is the exclusive creator of the LEVC Sutton VIP Class, a bespoke Taxi featuring a fully redesigned interior, with rear seats trimmed and angled for comfort. Options include individual electric seats and folding tables.
‘Separating the driver and VIP passenger compartment is a trimmed screen with a media monitor fed by Apple TV and even a Sony PS5 games console.
‘Between the rear passengers there is a new luxury armrest complete with cupholders, and behind that a refrigerator. The interior is as high-tech as it is luxurious with ambient lighting and an upgraded stereo system.
‘For the exterior, a subtle yet distinctive “two-tone” exterior paint finish is typically applied; the iconic black taxi paint for the lower portions, and a sublime Grigio Silverstone. Customers can select from a wide range of colours and finishes.’