WORLD’SMOST
Cabs, like the Grim Reaper, are one of the world’s great constants; wherever you go they’re always there -- unless it’s raining. But times are tough for these ubiquitous people carriers. Spi- ralling fuel costs are pushing up fares, and pesky governments are intent on driving classic -- if environmentally disastrous -- models off the road.
MEXICO CITY - VW Beetle
Everyone likes VW Beetles, so we’ve stuck Mexico’s iconic vochos in at number 10. There isn’t much to love about these pollution-belching bugs though.
In the back: Diminutive Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera. Tip factor: If the driver has removed the front passenger seat for extra legroom.
SHANGHAI - VW Jetta
There’s nothing iconic about Shanghai’s humdrum fleet of Volkswagen Jettas and it’s never clear if the Perspex screen around the driver is to keep phlegm in or out. But to zip in a cab over the city’s elevated neon expressways is to truly experience modern Shanghai: cheap, fast and just a little bit dirty. In the back: Yao Ming (provided there’s a sun roof he can stick his head out through). Tip factor: If the driver gets there without mounting the sidewalk.
MOSCOW - Porsche
Most major cities have novelty boats, helicopters or luxury car taxis, but somehow being picked up by a Porsche makes more sense in Moscow where oligarchs have money to burn and are apparently willing to pay a £60 flag fall. Cheaper options are available, but this is Moscow, so not much cheaper. In the back: Vladimir Putin, a man used to backseat driving. Tip factor: What the hell, just round it up to the nearest £65.
HONG KONG - Toyota Crown Comfort
Color-coded in primary reds, greens and blues, Hong Kong’s boxy Toyota Crown Comfort taxis have a reassuring Toy Town feel, with prices to
match.Drivers will go anywhere for a quick dollar, even in a typhoon. They won’t go to the expat enclave of Discovery Bay
though, but who can blame them? In the back: Hong Kong Chief Exec Donald Tsang, with a beady eye on the meter. Tip factor: If the cab isn’t air-conditioned to below freezing point.
NÜRBURGRING - BMW
If Germany’s speed unlimited autobahns aren’t fast enough, you can hire a souped-up BMW taxi to rocket you around the country’s Nürbur- gring Grand Prix circuit. You’ll be charged a small fortune for this and you’ll end up almost ex- actly where you started, but there the similarity to other taxis ends. In the back: Michael Schumacher, picking up a few tips. Tip factor: If you manage to keep your lunch down.
PAGE 50 PHTM AUGUST 2013
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