Five cool things about Toyota's new JPN Taxi

​As the name implies, you won't see Toyota's new Japan Taxi outside the land of the rising sun.

​New York has its distinctive yellow taxis, London its iconic black cabs, and Toyota is determined Tokyo (and other major Japanese cities) will have its own ‘Koiai’ (deep indigo blue) fleet of the new ‘JPN Taxi’ to welcome the world at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Unveiled today at the Tokyo motor show, it won’t see the light of day outside Japan, but here are five things we like about Toyota's new 'JPN Taxi'.

1) It looks amazing

A cross between an SUV and a small, high-roof commercial van, the JPN Taxi somehow manages to look uniquely Japanese, yet remain instantly recognisable as a cab.

2) It’s an LPG hybrid

There’s an LPG tank under the boot (how Aussie is that), powering a 1.5-litre four that drives the front wheels through an auto trans.

3) The cockpit looks half decent

  

Taking over from the ubiquitous Toyota crown, the JPN Taxi offers its drivers a comfy and well laid out environment.

4) There’s a battery under the floor

The nickel–metal hydride (Ni–MH) battery is super thin, and drives the electric motor working with the petrol ICE.

5) The floor is flat

Makes getting in and out easy, and offers extra luggage flexibility alongside the 401-litre boot. Enough to hold two sets of golf clubs (how Japanese is that).

Has Toyota built a better London cab? Tell us in the comments.