NOW and again in our line of work, motoring journalists get the opportunity to try something truly special.
I’m happy to say that my turn came around as I was fortunate enough to take a trip through central London in a stunning luxury taxi which was, in effect, a private jet on wheels.
The SunI was fortunate enough to take a ride in this £140,000 modified taxi[/caption]
The SunWith its plush seats and luxury features, it was like a private jet on wheels[/caption]
The car was originally manufactured by the London Electric Vehicle Company, which converts the iconic black cab into a deathly silent EV, before being given a plush upgrade by renowned coachbuilders Clive Sutton.
After giving readers a glimpse inside the stunning motor back in October, I was stunned to be invited to have my very own VIP experience.
On a cold December night travelling from the Sun’s office in London Bridge to a carol concert in upmarket Marylebone, the ambience was perfect for such a dream experience.
Looking from the outside, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was just a normal taxi – it even features the famous yellow light on top, though this can’t be switched on.
Indeed, my driver admitted that he faces a problem as people try and flag him down in the street, to which he is forced to reply with an apologetic shrug of the shoulders as he drives on by.
After all, he can’t very well pick up a £20 fare while on the way to pick up a celeb who has paid thousands to be ferried in style and discretion (he remained tight-lipped over which big names he had carried though).
But, once you get past its mundane exterior, inside is where the magic happens.
Immediately upon stepping in I was greeted by a cabin bathed in ambient green light, with LED striplamps discreetly tucked away around the carpet trim.
The brightness and even colour of the lighting can be adjusted at will via a remote hidden in the central console.
A second remote controls the large smart TV screen set into the partition between the driver’s seat and the passenger area.
Through this you can connect to any number of streaming apps, including Netflix, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
And if they don’t have the one you’re looking for, it’s hooked up to the app store so you can simply download it through the cab’s built-in internet connection.
You can even pay extra to hook up a PlayStation or Xbox console, though I must admit I probably get enough of that at home so I chose to admire the view instead.
And that was made easy by the panoramic sunroof built in above my head.
This featured some amazing tech called “smart glass”, meaning it could be frosted over for maximum privacy at the push of a button.
Having played around with all the gadgets, I sank back into the plush, jet-style seat, which could be fully adjusted and reclined with an added footrest, for the rest of the journey.
Honestly, I think it may be the easiest I have ever moved around London and, as someone who rides a motorcycle as their daily drive, it was certainly nice not to spend the trip freezing cold and trying not to get squashed by a bus.
Even the wet weather wasn’t an issue as a pair of swish umbrellas were neatly tucked into a recess by the door just in case.
It was certainly an upgrade on cramming into a packed Tube train at rush hour.
However, given that the amazing taxi rents for several thousand pounds per day and owning one will set you back £140,000, I think I might have to stick with the Northern Line.
The SunInside, there were all manner of gadgets and extras[/caption]
The SunPassengers can stream their favourite shows on a large infotainment screen with WiFi access[/caption]
The SunThere was even a remote to change the colour and brightness of the interior lights[/caption]
The SunIt was probably the quickest I’ve ever travelled around London[/caption]
The SunAnd the wet weather was no problem, with a pair of swish umbrellas provided[/caption]