London Black Cab Maker Reveals Luxury MPV Details

London Black Cab company LEVC releases the first images of its new luxury multi-purpose vehicle, the L380.

The company owned by China's Xhejiang Geely publishes the images during a special design event in Yishang Town, Hangzhou, showing interior details of the first model in its new range to be underpinned by its Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) pure battery-electric-vehicle platform.

Luxury MPVs are a growing niche market, especially in Asia, targeting wealthy families and business executive transport needs. LEVC says the L380’s design inspirations come from the world of luxury airline travel with seating for up to eight and flexible first class-style chairs. These are clad in soft, semi-aniline leather, which can be folded down for sleeping, and contrasted with Alcantara fabrics, bright chromes and crystals.

Other interior highlights include a floating dashboard and a 7.15 sq.-ft. (0.66 sq.-m) panoramic glass roof, which provides natural light or shields the occupants through intelligent dimming. There are also Chinese Ruyi-shaped air vents and a meteor shower cabin lighting effect, which integrates London icons such as Tower Bridge and Big Ben. The London theme is carried on outside with wheels influenced by the London Eye viewing wheel.

Brett Boydell, LEVC global chief design officer, says: “The L380 MPV, the first of a new wave of pure-electric LEVC products based on our SOA platform, truly breaks new ground, inspired by sectors such as luxury air travel and our international cultures, brought together by space-efficient and highly flexible cutting-edge technology, creating a high-level and luxurious atmosphere.”