Audi reveals innovative green hybrid

Audi has revealed its Q7 concept car – a petrol-electric 4x4 with a host of green innovations - at the Frankfurt International Motor Show after months of speculation.

The SUV-style vehicle uses a 4.2 litre FSI engine with electric support employed for speeds of up to 18mph. In same way as pioneering hybrids the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, this eliminates emissions from idling and crawling. If the vehicle is stationary for more than three seconds the engine automatically shuts off, restarting when the accelerator is pressed again. The Q7 also has a significant 13% improvement in fuel economy over equivalent V8s.

In a totally new addition to hybrid motoring, the Q7 also uses solar energy. Its large-scale glass sunroof contains solar cells that allow the use of the vehicle’s air conditioning when it is parked and switched off – even prior to a journey starting.

Audi will gauge the public and motor critics response before deciding to move forward on the Q7, but the concept is production-ready and could be released as early as 2008.

If manufactured commercially, the Q7 will be the latest environmentally-conscious SUV, following earlier offerings by Ford and Lexus. While 4x4s are accepted by most as necessary agricultural and off-road vehicles, they have borne the brunt of many environmentalists opposition for their increasingly common usage in urban settings. However, the Q7 and its new green SUV competitors show that the 4x4 and environment may yet go hand-in-hand.