<ul><li><a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/vw-unveiling-an.html">Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid</a></li></ul>

<ul><li><a href="http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/vw-unveiling-an.html">Coming Soon from VW: A 69.9 MPG Diesel Hybrid</a></li></ul>

but I was have asleep when I was posting.

Anyway, I guess the rumors about an Audi Q5 hybrid aren't just rumors.

Of course, I'm excited by the TDI and my wife is ready to write a check today if the Q5 comes with the hybrid and the TDI.

What do you think the odds are that's the first Q5 we see in the US? Especially, since gas looks like it could hit near $4 by summer. Maybe that's what the delay is for. Hey, do you think Audi is going to be ahead of the curve this time? Well, I can dream can't I? ;-)

my take on Audi is that the USA is very much on the back burner because of our exchange rate. Also, diesel here is still associated with the awful car diesel engines from the 1980's. I try to make people I know understand that this has TOTALLY changed, but unless they actually test drive a newer TDI they will not get it.

With this in mind, Europe will see the Q5 this coming Fall. The US may see limited shipments early 2009, but only the V6 gas engine IMO. Since Audi will probably not be making much profit on each car sold (or even a loss) the US will only get a small number. I don't see a Hybrid until 2011 (as per the chart recently posted) and a TDI in the USA perhaps in 2012. I can live with a Hybrid, and it might actually suit my needs on a daily basis better than a TDI as my daily routine is city driving inside Stamford. This is where hybrids allegedly shine.

I hope I'm wrong about Audi's late-as-usual outlook, but in the meantime I am strongly leaning towards taking a look at the upcoming BMW X5 Diesel as it is coming this Fall.

I recently wrote an email to Johan suggesting that they have an Audi Driving Experience using TDI's with professional drivers taking customers for test rides on the track. Belive me that would sell everyone on diesels. Will he do it? What did Wayne say? "When monkeys fly out of my. . ."

I was lucky enough to get a ride in a B6 A4 2.5L V6 TDI with Walter Rohrl at the Audi Winter Driving School in Seefeld, Austria back in 2001. From that day on, the only thing I wanted was a Audi TDI. I'm still waiting, but just like you Rocky, the BMW might tempt me to leave Audi for awhile.

Come on Johan let's go! I'll be happy to come to VA and show your marketing people how it done. ;-)