Flightlink bringing Volt-like F-150 series hybrid with in-wheel motors

Ford and PML Flightlink -- the same company that created the Volvo ReCharge concept -- will be showing off a plug-in hybrid electric F-150 pickup truck at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas. Like the ReCharge, the F-150 will be a series hybrid, so the truck should be powered by the electric motors until the battery is close to being depleted. At that point, we assume a stock Ford V8 would recharge the trucks on-board battery pack. The motors themselves are pancake-style wheel-mounted units and use permanent magnet technology. Each wheel is powered by a separate motor, ridding the truck of its normal axles, driveshafts, transmission and transfer case. At this point, we're not sure what kind of range or performance figures the automaker is claiming for this concept, but we'd expect more details to filter out closer to the show's November 4th start-date.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2010 Lexus RX coming to LA Auto Show

The Lexus RX is one of the most successful luxury crossovers of the past decade, with sales doubling or even tripling that of its competition. Remarkably, the RX has achieved its considerable success without a major overhaul, but that will change when the next gen RX is unveiled this November in LA. Details on the new RX have been scarce to this point, but we can be sure that a hybrid version will continue to be available and that a plug-in version is a possibility.

The RX is also expected to grow by around five inches, just like its Highlander sibling, though Lexus will likely use the extra room to improve rear passenger leg room. We've seen spy shots showing more evolutionary styling changes, along with a few cues pulled from the LF-xh concept, with tweaks to the front and rear fascias and a curvier C-Pillar.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Chevrolet GPiX concept to debut in Sao Paulo

The Sao Paulo Auto Show is shaping up to be more interesting than we thought, but that's no surprise considering how important the South American market is to automakers. As such, Chevy will be revealing a new concept in Brazil called the GPiX that will reportedly inspire a new line of vehicles to replace the Corsa on sale there now. The new line will include sedan, hatchback and truck variants, as well as a small crossover not unlike the GPiX concept itself. While the rear end looks something like that of a Suzuki SX4, the front clip of the GPiX is all Chevy with the now familiar split corporate grille. We do, however, really like the vertical stack of LED lights that flank the long air intake on the lower bumper. We should have more details and high-res images of the GPiX concept after its official debut on Monday at the Sao Paulo Auto Show, so stay tuned.

[Source: Motor Tips via World Car Fans]

Italian State Police receive new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

It's generally never a good idea to try and outrun the the local constabulary, but that would be particularly true if you happen to be in Italy within the jurisdiction of Prefect Antonio Manganelli. Manganelli heads up the Italian State Police and he just took delivery of the latest police package special from the crew at Lamborghini. This time around the Bolognese automaker added the decals and lights to its new Gallardo LP560-4. Somehow the Lamborghini techs have managed to integrate all the gear that modern police officers regularly use into their diminutive supercar. The car is equipped with a video recording system so officers can record evidence and provide entertainment for the boys in blue back at the station by transmitting it wirelessly in real time. The usual array of gun racks and radio equipment is also supplemented by a cooler in the front compartment that can be used to transport separated body parts to the local emergency room, or that finger you just shot off a "potential" suspect. The Rome police have been using a Gallardo cruiser for the last five years and accumulated 87,000 apparently problem-free miles while the Bologna police have racked up 62,000 miles in another example.

[Source: Lamborghini]

BMW offering ALL its models with 0.9% APR

Justin B. from TTAC sent us a tip that BMW NA is offering all of its models – from the 135i to the Alpina B7 – with a pretty-please-with-sugar-on-top APR of 0.9%. No car is exempt from the ultra-low loan, which means you can get behind the wheel of an M3 sedan or a 335i with relative ease, assuming you have a FICO credit score of 600 or more. We called up our local BMW dealer to find out if there are any exceptions, and apparently the credit score and a loan spanning 24-60 months are the only things keeping you away from Teutonic bliss. The offer began on October 1st and is good through October 31st – likely a last ditch effort to clear out the '08s and spur sales in a month where buyers are putting off big-ticket purchases. If October's numbers are as abysmal as we expect, don't be surprised if this sale leads into November. Check out BMW's site for the details.

[Source: BMW via TTAC]

Pagani releases more renderings of the Zonda R

The Pagani Zonda is on its way to supercar heaven, due to be replaced by Horacio Pagani's next masterpiece, currently code-named the C9. To send off the current Zonda in style, Pagani is working on the Zonda R, limiting production to ten examples with a price tag of €2,000,000.

Despite looking very similar to the Zonda F and its predecessors, the R only shares ten percent of the outgoing model's underpinnings, and instead, gets a sleek new shape that's 47mm longer, providing even more downforce through the use of a longer splitter, rear defuser and wing.

Pagani has released four new renderings of its all-carbon fiber coupe, and according to Autoblog.it (no relation), Pagani won't be using the 750-hp, 7.3-liter Mercedes mill, instead opting for the 6.0-liter AMG V12 putting out similar hp and torque. Five road-going versions are planned, while the remaining five will be limited to circuit duty. We're hoping to finally see the Zonda R in person sometime next year, likely at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

[Source: Autoblog.it]

Rolls-Royce CEO wants an electric Phantom

Short of the biggest SUVs, Rolls-Royce stands out in the mind of the eco-conscious public as a symbol of earth-munching decadence. But that may change if Tom Purves has anything to say about it. And he does, being the company's new CEO. Bringing in a fresh perspective to the ultimate luxury brand after taking the helm just a few months ago, Purves recently drove sister-company MINI's new electric vehicle, and a lightbulb aptly lit over his head with the idea to create an electric Phantom. Not a hybrid, but a full megawatt-powered limousine.

The way Purves sees it, we're not far away from cities banning polluting vehicles altogether. And as many Rolls-Royce owners live in major metropolitan centers, an electric Rolls makes perfect sense. With a little help from parent company BMW, Purves figures they could engineer the e-Rolls in-house. And far from betraying the Spirit of Ecstasy, Purves says an electric powertrain would offer the epitome of Rolls-Royce motoring – whisper quiet with instant torque delivery. Realization of the battery-powered Phantom is probably still a few years away, but it could be here sooner than we think.

[Source: CAR magazine]