NY Taxi

The New York Taxi project represented a significant turning point in Giugiaro's design practice. He responded to the New York Museum of Modern Art's invitation to participate in "The Taxi Project: realistic solutions for today", a call for proposals for innovative means of individual urban transport. The MoMA's aim was to solicit public opinion and encourage NYC council to design a new vehicle - similar to the taxis of London - which was much more comfortable and much less cumbersome than the taxis in Manhattan at the time, which were over 5 meters long. In line with the Museum's brief, the taxi had to meet various requirements for compactness, ergonomics (driver and passenger comfort), reduced consumption, and pollution levels. The design was to be based on the chassis of the small F12 Alfa Romeo van, with its twin shaft overhanging engine.

Giugiaro designed a tall, square-shaped MPV-type vehicle 4060 mm long and 1780 mm high, with considerable space for five passengers and the driver. A working car that proved to be a model of extreme functionality and which is still highly significant today, almost fifty years on.

The people of New York approved of the Alfa Romeo NY Taxi, not as much thanks to the drastic reduction in its overall dimensions (notably ahead of its time) as to the accessibility of the generous passenger compartment (almost two sq. m) via the sliding door and the flat, raised platform, equipped with a fold-down ramp (slanting floor) for use by passengers with prams or those in wheelchairs.