During a press conference that focused on Audi’s E-Tron electric concept, the German automaker didn’t give much time to hybrid technology – except to add on that hybrid versions of the Q5 and A8 are coming…. soon.

Audi continues to put the main focus on its electric car developments, while quietly following the same hybrid path every other automaker is on.

At the end of the E-Tron press conference, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler commented that Audi is skipping the mild-hybrid step that most automakers have gone through, launching straight into full-hybrids that are capable of operating on gasoline, electric power or a combination of both.

The Q5 Hybrid is expected later this year and Stadler commented that media drives will begin in the summer. As for an A8 hybrid, it will debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March and be based on Audi’s all-new 2011 A8 platform, which launched a few months ago.

We’ll be sure to bring you news on Audi’s hybrid developments, inclding coverage from Geneva starting March 2nd.

While German automakers are still talking a lot about electric cars and the benefits of diesel, they are also quietly rolling out hybrid models. As hybrids continue to increase in popularity, many European automakers are starting to take after their Japanese counterparts, especially as the Japanese have done such an excellent job penetrating the European luxury market over the past two decades.

With BMW recently delivering a hybrid X6 and 7 Series, now Audi is getting into the game with a hybridized version of the Q5 - aimed squarely at the Lexus RX, which dominates the entry level luxury crossover segment.

Like the rest of the German automakers, Audi is playing the whole hybrid thing low-key, even hiding the news of the Q5 Hybrid inside a press release about investing in the future. This isn’t particularly surprising, especially from Audi, who’s U.S. boss, Johan de Nysschen, was widely quoted several months back slamming hybrid technology like that found in the Chevy Volt.

And so while hybrid technology isn’t a part of Audi’s big marketing push and brand image, the automaker certainly aims to stay relevant and compete. The 2011 Q5 hybrid will, after all, be on sale in late 2010 – less than 12 months away.

Official release after the jump:

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