2 February 2009

Hybrid Q5 upcoming

Audi will offer a hybrid version of its Q5 premium SUV in the US next year, and the vehicle variant may be launched in Europe subsequently.

audiq5

This follows the BMW decision that the X6 will be offered as a hybrid late this year. Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce a hybrid in each of its major models starting with the S400 variant later this year.

There are still cost issues, though, with development of a hybrid powertrain being three to four times greater than that for a standard powertrain. A diesel engine is only 50 percent more to make.

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