Audi kills plans for Q5 hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Crossover, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Q5

A few short months after announcing that it would be killing off the Q7 hybrid SUV, Audi has decided that its smaller brother, the Q5, doesn't really need the fuel-saving option either. The German automaker cites the safety of its nickel metal hydride battery packs, but we're not completely sold on that being the real concern, especially considering the hundreds of thousands of Toyota Prius hybrids (among others, of course) already roaming the world's busiest highways with nary a problem. If not safety, then why cancel the project? Pricing is likely the biggest factor holding Audi's hybrids back, along with Audi's large investment in turbo diesels and the growing use of lightweight materials in its line, especially the use of aluminum in its chassis structures. Adding the cost of hybrid technology to these already expensive programs may seem cost prohibitive. Oh yeah, and gas is getting cheap again.

Gallery: Beijing '08: 2009 Audi Q5

[Source: Autocar]

Audi kills plans for Q5 hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi A7 concept coming to Detroit Auto Show

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Sedan, Supercars, Audi

Click above for gallery of the Audi's future concepts

While other automakers are fleeing Detroit's Cobo Hall, Audi has plans to make up for their absences. We already knew the V10-powered version of the R8 would be making its world debut at the North American International Auto Show next month and it looks like several more vehicles will be appearing as well. According the Detroit Free Press, a concept version of the upcoming A7 will make be on hand, along with a second US market diesel model. The A7 is expected to be yet another four-door vehicles with a coupe-like profile. As for the diesel, Audi hasn't said anything publicly, although the Freep expects it to be the A4 sedan. Other possibilities are the yet to be launched Q5 mid-size SUV and the compact A3, both of which were featured prominently on the recent Audi Mileage Marathon. At some point over the next year or two we expect all three to join the TDI ranks here in the US.

Gallery: Audi future lineup official sketches

Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Audi A7 concept coming to Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments