The R188 is a class of new technology (NTT) New York City Subway cars built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the A Division.

[7] The fleet first entered passenger service on November 9, 2013, and the final cars were delivered in June 2016.

They are visually very similar to the R142s and nearly identical to the R142As, but due to electrical incompatibilities, in addition to being equipped with CBTC, the three types are not interoperable.

[10] Six extra R188 trainsets were ordered in conjunction with CBTC installation and 7 Subway Extension.

The trains are configured so that the five-car consist on each train is located on the Manhattan-bound end and the six-car consist is located on the Main Street-bound end, due to the position of conductor's boards on platforms along the 7 route.

The original planned total of 46 eleven-car trains (506 cars) would still result from this order.

The MTA also decided to have Kawasaki perform all of the conversions at the Yonkers plant instead of 207th Street Shop as part of that contract modification.

[12] The R188 contract was awarded in spring 2010 to Kawasaki Heavy Industries, who won by default since only two manufacturers qualified, and Bombardier Transportation opted not to bid on the contract, citing the small order and large requirement for engineering resources.

Operationally, the R188s are coupled as such: A-B-B-B-A+A-B-B-B-C-Awhere dashes signify link bars, and the addition sign denotes couplers.

[13] The 10 converted R142A cars from the base order (7211–7220) were completed in December 2011 at Kawasaki's Yonkers facility and were delivered for testing on the Flushing Line in 2012.

[24] In 2024, the exterior of one set of R188s received temporary stickers depicting the McDonald's character Grimace.