Black and orange cabs

In a rare taxi trip last week, I secured the services of a new Mercedes-Benz Vito (lugging shopping back from Sainsbury's). 120 have gone into service around London, and they, or variants, are probably the emerging shape of London taxis. They've just found a way to match the turning circle of the old black cabs (by doing something tricky with the rear wheels at the flick of a switch). And they're much lighter on the diesel. So compared with renting a new Black Cab, my driver had opted for a Vito -and reckoned he'd saved the £5 a week extra in charges by fuel savings within days.

For the passenger, they're genuine six-seaters - without clashing knees and jockey seats - and seem to offer a quieter, smoother ride. At least when they're new....