Sometimes we can help but think what’s the real motivation for automakers to make hybrid cars. The growing ecomentalist market? The ecomentalist legislation?

One thing that used to be just a plain axiomatic is that big cars will guzzle. Still is, somehow. But that’s not stopping automakers from trying to make SUVs and CUVs a bit more fuel efficient. And the most popular method is to hybridize them.

Such is the case with the Audi Q5. Audi claims that this will be Audi’s first true hybrid model. Makes you wonder why they didn’t try this out with their other cars like the A3 or A4 where that could actually maximize the use of a hybrid system.

The Q5 Hybrid will sport a 3.2L V6 gasoline engine combined with a couple of electric motors connected to a lithium-ion battery pack.

Source: Autocar

Audi has effectively put their petrol-electric hybrid plans on hold, thanks to the company’s commitment to developing cleaner and more fuel-efficient diesels. With this decision, Audi has announced that the development of the hybrid Q5 is indefinitely postponed.

The Q5 would have gotten the hybrid power source after Audi cancelled plans of giving the Q7 a petrol-electric powertrain. Now, the Q5 is poised to benefit from the newer diesel technology and stop-start system that Audi is set to apply. The system won’t be given some high-sounding name so as to foster the notion that improvements are part of the process at Audi, and not just some gimmick.

“Audi won’t produce a petrol-electric hybrid until we can make nickel metal hydride batteries safer in crash situations and hybrid technology more efficient overall,” sources from Audi said. “Until then we will concentrate on producing more efficient diesel engines and aluminium chassis.”

Sources claim that the new technology could be launched with Audi’s A1 Supermini slated for a 2010 release date. However, the technology should be able to see some early run in the next wave of models, since it is already in the late stages of development.

Source: Autocar

The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover with which Audi hopes to claim a stake in the very mucky crossover market. The Q5 is slotted as the next vehicle with the Q designation in Audi fleet next to its hulking of a bully big brother – the Q7. It is tamed down compared to the Q7 with a choice of powertrains ranging from a 2.0L and 3.2L gas engines and 2.0L and 3.0 TDI engines which are mated to Audi’s all-wheel drive system. Check out the Q5 in this video: