As reported yesterday, Audi today unveiled its new A8 Hybrid concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. While it’s known as a ‘technology concept’ for now, this is most likely the same model that will enter production and go on sale by late 2011.

Power comes from a 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine making 211-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The enine is mated to an electric-motor (fueled by a lithium-ion battery pack) making 45-hp and a peak torque of 156 lb-ft. Working together the two systems produce 245-hp and a maximum torque of 354 lb-ft. That allows the Audi A8 Hybrid to go from 0-62 mph in 7.6 seconds with a top speed of 146 mph.

Audi says that even with those performance figures, the A8 Hybrid will return an estimated fuel-economy of 38 U.S. mpg. Audi says that the A8 Hybrid is also capable of running on electric-mode at speeds of up to 40 mph for more than 1.2 miles.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Lexus LS Hybrid, BMW ActiveHybrid 7 and the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid have met their competitor from Ingolstadt.

GENEVA — Saying it is on a quest for "future mobility," Audi said at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show that the Audi Q5 hybrid is expected to be launched in the U.S. by the end of 2011. The Audi A8 hybrid is expected to be launched by the end of 2011 as well.

Audi showed off the A8 hybrid in Geneva, calling it an "engineering study." It is powered by Audi's 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with an electric motor for a combined 245 hp and 354 lb-ft. Average fuel consumption is 38 mpg, the German automaker said. The A8 hybrid has an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.

"A U.S. confirmation or launch date is still TBD, but on a worldwide basis, it should be available by the end of calendar year 2011," said Audi spokesman Christian Bokich in response to an e-mailed query by Inside Line. "The 'regular' A8 launches in the U.S. in fall 2010 as a 2011 model year vehicle."

He said the Q5 hybrid, the automaker's first hybrid, will get the 2.0-liter TFSI engine, rated at 211 hp, and an electric motor. "U.S. launch timing is at the end of the 2011 calendar year," Bokich said.

Audi said it is committed to going beyond traditional internal-combustion engines.

"In [the] future, our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies," said Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management of Audi AG, in a statement. "The hybrid driveline will be followed by all-electric vehicles."

Inside Line says: Get ready for an influx of Audi hybrids, starting with the A8 and Q5. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent