Audi look like beating Porsche and Volkswagen to the punch by being the first of the three manufacturers to debut their jointly developed hybrid technology. Audi are expecting to release the petrol electric hybrid version of their Q7 SUV in North America next year.

The hybrid Q7 will feature a petrol-electric hybrid drive that will allow the Q7 to operate on any combination of engines, electric, petrol or both together. The hybrid system is modular and can easily be adapted to different model ranges and is said to easily integrate with existing drivetrains.

Audi expect to have their hybrid Q7 on sale in late 2008. It will feature a 3.6-litre, 208kW/280hp fuel-injected petrol engine mated to the electric engine. The hybrid system is said to use about 23 percent less fuel than the equivalent petrol only Q7 achieving a respectful (for an SUV) 9.8 L/100km.

Porsche are claimed to have stated that their Cayenne hybrid will not arrive until closer to the end of the decade – but we will bring you more recently released information on Porsches hybrid SUV soon.

Steane

[Source: Automotive News]