Here's the full press release on the Q5 that is being distributed for the initial wave of journalists to drive the car in Valencia, Spain. These are German market details, but if you're curious about the car worth a check.

A bunch of new photos were released too and are found via the gallery link at the bottom of the article.

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2007 Honda Civic Hybrid
2008 Honda CRV loaded (wife)

"Cariocas do it better..."

I would be thinking of a fully loaded model with climate seats, pano roof, chassis control, all the goodies sans S line. Do you have an approx price of this? How close would it be to a Q7? Any price info would be great

By the way, I suspect a hybrid Q5 will be sold before a TDI Q5 in the USA. Q7 will get TDI first. As best-seller, my suspicion is A4 will get it next.

That works for me since I already have a hybrid!!!
What kind of hybrid? 4 Cyl or 6 cyl?
MB is talking about releasing the GLK BlueTec Hybrid and that should be hot

2007 Honda Civic Hybrid
2008 Honda CRV loaded (wife)

"Cariocas do it better..."

My guess would be a pairing with the 3.2 FSI V6 but that's just a guess. 2.0T is being considered for USA and that'd actually be a really cool setup. 2.0T is cheaper to produce which keeps cost down and it's more efficient. The prototype hybrid drivetrain I drove last year is said to add about 15% more torque in performance use so that'd again compliment the 2.0T.

The story on the experimental hybrid Q7 can be found here...

http://www.fourtitude.com/news...shtml

They pay for you to fly to europe, just to test drive a car? Thats some serious shhhiiittt..

Wow...you are really lucky being able to drive a Q5 so soon... I'm planning to make an order in October for a customized Q5, with 3.0 Tdi (I live in Panama - Central America).

If you meet with some Audi Technician during your trip in Europe, could you possibly ask for a very specific question regarding the DRC (Dinamic Ride Control)? This is what I'm trying to find out:

Comparing the same car, one with DRC and one without. If the first car has the DRC set to Confort mode, will it be more confortable on rought road than the car that has no DRC? Does it have the ability to actually smooth our the road, like the Air Suspension Sistem on the A6/A8?

If the DRC where to be usefull only to increase "sporty attutudes" I will probably not go for it. But if it actually help improoving confort on bumpy roads, I will definetely considering getting this option.

Thanks for you help,
Alessandro

The system will be the new Audi Drive Select setup that I've tested in the A4 and currently have on order in my 2009 S5 that's hopefully on the water. The system is not air-based like the A8, A6 or Q7 and does smooth out the road although it's a lot more. Rather than just suspension control, you can also control steering ratio, steering weight, throttle input and shift points (the old Sport Mode on the tranny is now gone but now controlled through the Drive Select system. I haven't seen pricing yet on ADS, but it's a very impressive system and you can likely test drive it in a B8 A4 or A5/S5 as that'll probably be available in your market before the Q5 arrives later.

In Europe, the basic Audi Drive Select can control only throttle input and shift points. Additionally, one can ask for the Dinamic Drive (which controls steering ratio and steering weight) and DRC (Dinamic Ride Control, which works on the suspension),

In other words, Dinamic Drive and DRC can be ordered separately. Of course, to have any (or both) of the options, you need to get the baseic Audi Drive Select.

Additionally, once you have the Drive Select + Dinamic Drive + DRC, if you also want to get the ability to customize your own program via MMI, you will be able to do that only if you order the Full GPS Navigation Color Sistem... (this will come standard in North America). If you don't want the Color Navigation sistem, you won't get the "individual" button either and the buttons controlling the sistem get displaced right next to the gear box.

It's true that in Europe, Latin America and other regions we get lot's of engine/transmisison options; but it's also true that for some options (that can be standard or not too costly in North America) you need to pay a lot more...