Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Carbodies Taxi 2.3 D (61 Hp)
Overall Rating
Carbodies Taxi:
The Austin FX4 is a hackney carriage that was produced from 1958 until 1997. It was sold by Austin from 1958 until 1982, when Carbodies, who had been producing the FX4 for Austin, took over the intellectual rights to the car. Carbodies only produced the FX4 for two years, until 1984, when London Taxis International took over rights and continued producing it until 1997. In all, more than 75,000 FX4s were built. Over its lifetime, the FX4 increasingly became regarded as a design classic, and a visual icon of London recognised throughout the world, to the point where its eventual successors - the TX-series and the current LEVC TX - continue the FX4's basic styling cues and overall aesthetic....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Taxi Overview:
Carbodies Taxi (Taxi). With 139 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. It has moderate fuel consumption (~10 l/100km). With a weight of 1560 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. The top speed reaches 105 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Carbodies Taxi was produced before the establishment of modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP. Its safety features are very basic by contemporary measures, focusing on robust construction rather than advanced passive or active safety systems.
2.3 D (61 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Extremely modest performance, focused on low-end torque for urban driving and durability rather than speed. Barely adequate for city use, with a top speed of 105 km/h.
Fuel Economy
Decent fuel economy for its era and purpose as a diesel taxi, crucial for operational costs, though modern diesels are far more efficient.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic and recognizable design
- • Exceptional passenger space and accessibility
- • Legendary reliability and durability for taxi work
- • Remarkably tight turning circle for urban maneuverability
- • Robust, long-lasting diesel engines
- • Easy to maintain and repair
Cons:
- • Extremely slow performance across all engine options
- • Very basic interior and limited comfort features
- • High fuel consumption by modern standards
- • Dated safety technology (no airbags, ABS only on some later models)
- • Unrefined ride quality and noise levels
- • Drum brakes on all wheels (early models)
Specifications:
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Carbodies |
| Model: | Taxi |
| Generation: | Taxi |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.3 D (61 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1982 |
| End of production: | 1995 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 61 Hp @ 4000 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 26.7 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 139 Nm @ 1800 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 2286 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Precombustion chamber injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Cylinder Bore: | 90.47 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 88.9 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 23:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Diesel |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 10 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 8 l/100 km |
| Maximum speed: | 105 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 25.6 kg/Hp, 39.1 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 11.2 kg/Nm, 89.1 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1560 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 52 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4580 mm mm |
| Width: | 1740 mm mm |
| Height: | 1770 mm mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2810 mm mm |
| Front track: | 1420 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1420 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 15.2 m |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Drum |
| Rear brakes | Drum |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 185/80 R16 |
Would you recommend the Carbodies Taxi ? Tell us why or why not!