This all-electric reinterpretation of Audi’s quirky early-2000s hatchback is set to go on sale in Europe later this year.
While the early 2000s were filled with all sorts of weird automotive oddities, few were quite as unusual as the Audi A2. With its tall proportions, unusual styling and aluminium construction, it was in fact so out there that most buyers simply said nein and bought something else instead.
But perhaps due to its rather cult following all these years later, the four-ringed automaker has finally brought the nameplate back. And true to its forefather, this all-electric successor does have a few interesting quirks.
Set to launch in Europe towards the end of this year, the new A2 unmistakably shares the same quirky exterior aesthetic as its predecessor. Its humpback profile is bookended by Audi’s gaping new family face up front and twin thin horizontal rear light strips at the back, but where things get interesting is in the details.
The A2 e-tron gets a mostly enclosed underbody, controllable cooling air intakes, specially shaped wheel arches and gap reducers between the tyres and wheel housings. Audi has even developed its own low-rolling-resistance tyres that run at higher-than-normal pressures. Even the electrically operated door handles get in on the act, using haptic sensors and sitting flush against the body.
All of this thus give the A2 e-tron a drag coefficient of just 0.24, which Audi claims makes it the brand’s most aerodynamic compact model yet. The most efficient version is subsequently capable of a claimed energy consumption figure of just 12.8 kWh per 100 km.
Moving inside meanwhile, the relatively normal-looking cabin of the A2 e-tron gets a dashboard and door panels wrapped in what Audi calls its Softwrap fabric-covered surface. The driver gets an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus digital instrument display, paired with a 12.8-inch curved MMI touchscreen. There is also an optional augmented-reality head-up display, while moving the gear selector onto the steering column frees up some additional space around the centre console.
Boot space in this compact hatchback stands at a reasonable 396 litres with the rear seats up, increasing to 1,336 litres when they are folded down. The more powerful versions also get a 13-litre frunk. And for added practicality, Audi has even fitted the cabin with its rather innovative Fidlock attachment system, which combines magnets with mechanical clasps to let owners click accessories such as cupholders and bags into place.
On the propulsion front, all versions of the A2 e-tron are powered by a single permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor driving the rear wheels, with outputs ranging from 125 kW (170 PS) to 240 kW (326 PS). The range-topping version is touted to also produce up to 545 Nm of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds before topping out at 200 km/h. The other variants in turn are limited to 160 km/h, with their respective 0-100 km/h times ranging from seven to 8.8 seconds.
Powering these motors are three battery options measuring 52 kWh, 61 kWh and 84 kWh. The two smaller packs use LFP chemistry, while the largest uses NMC cells.
The 52 kWh version is rated for up to 424 km of WLTP range, rising to 515 km with the 61 kWh pack. The 84 kWh version stretches this to 646 km in the 231 PS model, while even the range-topping 326 PS version manages 629 km.
DC charging peaks at 193 kW for the 84 kWh versions, taking 29 minutes to charge from 10-80%. The 61 kWh and 52 kWh versions on the other hand support up to 105 kW and 100 kW respectively, with the latter taking around 24 minutes for the same charging window.
Interestingly for this baby of the Audi lineup, the A2 e-tron still packs bidirectional charging capability. V2L allows the car to supply electricity to external devices, while V2H allows it to send power back into a compatible home when paired with the appropriate photovoltaic system and DC wallbox.
There is also expectedly plenty of electronic assistance on offer with the A2, with the highlight being Audi’s adaptive cruise assist plus. This uprated cruise control essentially combines adaptive cruise control with active lane guidance, and can even use online traffic data to adjust the car’s speed according to the average speed of surrounding traffic.
European deliveries of the new A2 e-tron are expected to begin in December this year, with German pricing starting from €38,200 (RM 180,000) for the 125 kW version and climbing to €51,200 (RM 240,000) for the range-topping model. There is nevertheless no word yet on whether Audi plans to bring this small EV to Malaysia, but perhaps don’t hold your breath for it to come here any time soon.
