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The on and off again reports of an Audi Q5 hybrid for the U.S. are on again today after Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for Volkswagen, said that the hybrid Q5 will come to the U.S. in late 2010. Speaking at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show yesterday, Hatz said that in order to stay competitive, Audi will have to offer the Q5 Hybrid to compete with rivals such as the Lexus RX 400h. BMW is also planning a hybrid version of the X6 for the U.S. later this year.

However, echoing previous reports, Hatz said that he believes diesel has a greater potential.

“If you look at what you have to spend to get the advantage of the hybrid and what you have to spend on other technologies like diesel, the diesel is much more cost-effective,” Hatz said. “We have to do hybrids in order to show people that we are able to do them.”

The gasoline powered Audi Q5 will arrive on U.S roads March.

Source: AutoWeek

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