When one thinks of New York City, one of the most common city trademarks are the yellow Ford Crown Victoria sedans that dot the city’s landscape. The Crown Victoria, or Crown Vic as it’s known to locals, has been the staple of NYC’s taxi fleet since the early 70’s. It’s roomy, has a large trunk, and is easily worked on.

Well it seems all that is about to change. The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission is shopping for a new generation of cars to be phased in to its fleet of about 13,000 yellow cabs.

” We met with all of the major automobile manufacturers,” commission Chairman Matthew Daus told the press at the Detroit Auto Show, ” We’re taking this as an opportunity to ask manufacturers to custom-build the Utopian cab for us.”

They seem to be quite serious about tackling the negative issues of the current model. U.K. automotive engineering and technology firm Ricardo PLC has been picked up as a consultant on the project. Ricardo PLC is highly regarded for what they do and supply a lot of Formula-1 teams with technology.

The most important aspects that need revision seem to be the fuel consumption and vehicle cost. The old Crown Vic’s 4.6 liter V8 is way too much of a gas guzzler. It is suited for easy cruising and effortless power. This day and age calls for efficiency and cleanlines, as well as power.

Specs put together by the commission have already been sent to a couple of undisclosed manufactures.  This will spell the end of an era for the Crown Vic Taxi Cab, but hopefully, it’ll open the doors for a more purpose built vehicle for New Yorkers to hitch a ride on. Hailing a cab might never be the same.

Above: Looks like the Crown Vic’s day’s are numbered….at least as a NYC cab.