Audi Q5 hybrid planned

Audi built its first hybrid production car in 1996 - the Audi duo, driven by a TDI engine and an electric motor.  But it has taken until now for the German manufacturer to begin producing its follow-up hybrid.

Audi group communications, product and technology manager Josef Schlossmacher says they will begin making the "first hybrid model of the present generation" in the next few months.  It will be the Q5 hybrid with a 157kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine and a 25kW electric motor.

"Following, we will also bring into the market hybrid versions of our big sedans, A8 early in 2012 and a couple of months later the A6," he says.  "At Audi we are convinced that hybrid cars are an important step to the fully electrical drivetrain of the future."

However, Australia may not see hybrid Audis for some time yet.  Audi Australia corporate communications manager Nadine Giusti says the Q5 hybrid will only be built in left-hand drive, "so we cannot bring the car here".