Overview

Wolfgang Hatz, head of Volkswagen Group's powertrain development, confirmed that the hybrid version of Audi's Q5 premium SUV will hit the United State's market sometime in 2010. If the Audi Q5 fared successfully in the United States, Audi will launch the car later in Europe.

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In one of his interviews, Hatz said that Audi ought to develop a hybrid car that will contend with other models from rival car companies that offer the same innovation. Audi's Q5 premium SUV will compete with the Lexus RX 400h, the BMW V6, which will enter the market late in 2009, and possible hybrid cars from each Mercedez-Benz major models, with the S400 as the first.

In one of his interviews, Hatz revealed that a diesel version is still the green tech top choice within the automobile company but they will develop hybrid models "in order to show people that we are able to do them."

Audi planned to launch its pioneer hybrid in the Q7 premium SUV. However the US dollar proves to be weaker against the euro at this certain point, therefore, the Q5 premium SUV was chosen as the best alternative.

The Audi Q5 gas version will enter the US market this March. However, the hybrid model with its extra fuel economy abilities will be launched in 2010. While there is still a scarcity for the technical information about the Q5 hybrid, it is assumed that it will make use of nickel metal hydride batteries not lithium-ion batteries.

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