It's London calling for Nissan, which has made the most of the Olympic spotlight on the city by unveiling its new five-seater NV200 London Taxi.

The vehicle, based on the company’s multi-purpose NV200 compact van, is 50 per cent more fuel-efficient than alternative cabs and cuts carbon dioxide emissions in half – good news for the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who has promised to tackle London's air-quality problem. Johnson said: 

Having taken the significant step of introducing the first age limit for taxis in London, I am absolutely delighted that manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and are responding to the challenge I set in my air-quality strategy to reduce taxi emissions and improve efficiency. I look forward to when a fully competitive model comes to market.

The new taxi features a 2.7-litre TD27 diesel engine and complies with Transport for London regulations. The company is also planning to trial an all-electric e-NV200 prototype London Taxi in 2013.

Nissan has already unveiled versions of the NV200 taxi in Tokyo and New York City.

Andy Palmer, executive vice-president of Nissan, said:

Nissan is proud to be delivering a 21st-century vision for one of London’s most iconic vehicles. The "black cab" is as much a part of the London landscape as Big Ben and, whilst there will always be a place for that familiar silhouette, the Nissan NV200 London Taxi focuses as much attention on its interior as the exterior – a better experience for drivers and passengers.

Palmer concluded:

The Nissan NV200 is a global taxi, launching in the biggest and brightest cities in the world. Safe, comfortable, efficient and convenient – it’s a great step forward for providing a transport solution that is good for both its users and other city inhabitants.