Hyundai Motor Company launched its taxi-exclusive model, the ‘Sonata Taxi’, on Wednesday, the 3rd.
The Sonata Taxi is characterized by a durable LPG engine, transmission, and tires specifically designed for taxis, offering a wide second-row space and various infotainment and comfort features.
Considering the harsh driving conditions of taxis, Hyundai has subjected this model to a durability testing process that is about twice as stringent as that of regular vehicles. It is equipped with a durable smartstream LPG 2.0 engine and a taxi-exclusive 6-speed automatic transmission, along with tires that boast about 20% increased durability compared to standard tires.
Compared to the existing Sonata New Rise taxi, the Sonata Taxi features a wheelbase lengthened by 70mm, providing passengers with a more comfortable riding experience due to the increased space in the second row.
Hyundai has significantly enhanced the safety features of the Sonata Taxi and implemented the latest infotainment and convenience options to boost its marketability.
The Sonata Taxi includes a nine-airbag system featuring ▲front airbags ▲driver’s knee airbag ▲side airbags for the front and rear ▲curtain airbags for rollover protection, along with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as ▲Lane Keeping Assist (LFA) ▲Lane Departure Prevention (LKA) ▲Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) to further enhance safety.
Additionally, it is equipped with the next-generation infotainment system called ‘ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit)’, which provides wireless software updates, allowing the vehicle’s main electronic controls and associated functions to remain up to date for a more convenient travel experience.
The Sonata Taxi will be offered in a single trim, with optional features that include ▲Smart Cruise Control (with stop-and-go functionality) ▲Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (for cross-traffic/forward collision) ▲Blind Spot Collision Warning (when driving) ▲Reversing Cross-Collision Avoidance Assist, along with front ventilated seats as part of Hyundai SmartSense.
Exterior color options include ▲Ice White ▲Curated Silver Metallic ▲Phantom Black.
The sales price for the Sonata Taxi starts from ▲24.8 million won for corporate and individual (regular taxpayer) taxis and ▲22.54 million won for individual taxis (simple taxpayer, tax-exempt), and is available only for platform transportation providers and operating taxi businesses.
The Sonata Taxi is manufactured by Beijing Hyundai Motor Co., and the contract, delivery process, after-sales service, and all aspects of purchase are equivalent to domestically produced vehicles.
Hyundai is collaborating with the taxi product industry to improve urban aesthetics and enhance the safety of taxi use by introducing a new design for the ‘Smart Taxi Sign’ that differentiates it from the existing taxi signs.
The Smart Taxi Sign integrates the traditional taxi sign and empty vehicle sign into one product, moving away from the standard taxi sign mounted at the center of the roof to a more stylish installation on the top of the passenger side B-pillar. This also minimizes the residual value damage caused by drilling holes in the roof for conventional taxi signs.
Additionally, the sign uses LED displays in the front and rear for better visibility, and to lower the risk of accidents, a projector mounted on the side of the sign projects a stopping signal on the ground to alert cyclists, motorbikes, and pedestrians when passengers are getting out.
Hyundai provides free design services for the Smart Taxi Sign to existing companies, while the development, manufacturing, and sale fall to established taxi sign manufacturers.
Meanwhile, Hyundai will be hosting special delivery ceremonies for the first customers of the Sonata Taxi and running events, including a coffee truck delivery to major taxi driver gathering points nationwide to celebrate the Sonata Taxi’s launch.
A Hyundai representative stated, “The Sonata Taxi is a vehicle with specialized product characteristics, including a taxi-exclusive powertrain and expanded second-row living space.” They added, “We hope that the Sonata Taxi, with its unique features as a taxi-exclusive model, will receive much attention.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr