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'Taxi Of Tomorrow' Introduced To NYC; Will Make Debut In 2013

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New York City's new taxi was unveiled Tuesday night.

The Nissan NV 200 will be hitting the city streets in October of 2013 and will feature all sorts of options for passengers to ride in comfort.

It will have charging ports for electronic devices, more leg room, sliding doors, anti-microbial back seats, reading and foot lights and a panoramic see-through roof.

WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports

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"This is a big win for taxi passengers," Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky said. "It's much more comfortable on the inside than the current taxis."

All current taxis will be off the streets by 2018. The new $29,000 cabs will get 25 miles per gallon. Six of the fleet will be entirely electric.

The design was the result of a city competition, but the winner is not Public Advocate Bill de Blasio's favorite. He said that Nissan is on his "Iran Watch List" of 12 automakers doing business with the regime in Tehran.

"We've got to say that there's no way in hell the city of New York can do business with a company that does business with Iran. It's just that simple," de Blasio.

Nissan has yet to respond to de Blasio's claims.

What do you think of the new taxi? Sound off in our comments section below. 

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