SEMA 2008 Preview: PML Flightlink to show Ford F-150 PHEV
PML Flightlink, makers of the 640-horsepower electric MINI from 2006, is headed to SEMA this year with a new concept vehicle to display. Based on a full-size Ford pickup truck, it would be hard to come up with a platform further from the MINI that the company originally used. Still, the concept F-150 will feature a similar setup to those used on PML's earlier concepts, including the Volvo ReCharge concept. The motors themselves are a permanent magnet pancake style and are integrated within the wheels. This design could potentially rid the truck of many drivetrain components such as, of course, the engine and transmission as well as the driveshafts and transfer case that would otherwise be necessary for a four-wheel drive truck. Instead of going the full electric route, though, the SEMA-bound F-150 will use a plug-in series hybrid powertrain, so the truck's on-board battery can be recharged by the stock gasoline engine. We'll see if we can't track down more details closer to the truck's debut.
[Source: PickupTrucks.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 4:22AM (10/26/2008)
I love the in wheel motors...and I can't wait to see more from PML Flightlink. If the Mini they made has 600hp, then this truck could get a lot more considering its wheels would fit larger motors. In wheel motors, that's the future.
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swanny 10:49PM (10/26/2008)
This is an excellent move, shows the americian public they can have their cake and eat it too.
So much better than the cr@ppy hybrids toyota and the rest are trying to flog that I won't touch
series hybrid is the stopgap until we have battery / regen tech good enough and these wheel motors have all the torque we need and plenty to spare with the ability to place batteries anywhere in the vehicle to tune weight dsitribution and plenty of space for a genset under the bonnet.
The wheel motors also have me drooling for the possibilites in the future for electric conversions of classic cars, nothing a bit of inginuity won't solve!
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