Honda is about to start selling its Accord Hybrid. It has a lot going for it: japanese reliability, power (255hp) and very good gas mileage (EPA 30 city /37 hwy). It comes fully loaded (leather, CD changer, etc); the only option is the DVD navigation system.

I understand that the Accord is just not in the same class as the A6 but I wouldn't mind having a car that pollutes less and that can go for 600 miles on a tank of gas. Has anyone heard what Audi's plans are regarding hybrid cars?<ul><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/honda/accord/100452039/roadtestarticle.html?articleId=103272&amp;tid=edmunds. h..wkedmunds.firstdrive.1.*">Honda Accord V6 Hybrid</a></li></ul>

Audi's target market is most likely not really concerned with gas mileage. As long as it is "decent", Itll get the job done. How many people have you heard list gas mileage as an important factor when buying a luxury car?

&gt;&gt;How many people have you heard list gas mileage as an important factor when buying a luxury car?

It's becoming an important factor for me. This new technology is now being used in cars like the Accord and the Lexus RX SUV. It will appear in more Lexus models in the coming years and that means cars with much better mileage and also more horsepower. I like German cars but it sounds like the Japanese are way ahead on this one.

target audience for German luxury cars and Japanese luxury cars. Until the German segment starts caring more about gas mileage and such, I don't think we will see a hybrid A4 or A6.

The problem with hybrid technology is that it tends to weigh even more than regular gas powerplants, requires special recycling whe disposed, isn't all that much more efficient when you have to have the a/c on (in which case the gas motor runs constantly in most cars), and the Europeans are much more interested in diesel technology which yeilds excellent mileage and in the case of the latest engines, matches or betters most gasoline engines for emissions.

We should see an A6 3.0 diesel car in a few years. Work is progressing to prepare it for North American federalization.

As for Honda being reliable, yes, they may somewhat more reliable than the Germans, but not nearly as reliable as you might think. Over 1.4 million cars have been recalled for automatic tranmission problems, millions more may be recalled, they have had fuel tank problems, doors on minivans not staying closed, airbag wiring faulty, etc. They are very effective in the PR dept to keep the news from reaching the public eye.

I would really like to get another Golf TDI. Idiots.

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considering the two cars with the longest wait lists are the Prius and the upcoming Lexus RX hybrid, I think any automaker that isn't making a serious investment in hybrid technology is foolish.