The Audi A2 rose from hiatus overnight, with the aerodynamic hatchback reincarnated as an EV. And while the first A2 (1999-2005) was never officially sold in Australia, its electric successor has a strong chance of debuting in local showrooms.
Priced at €38,200 in Germany (about AU**$61,600**), the A2 e-tron, to give it its full name, reintroduces Audi to the supermini market after the A1 hatchback and Q2 SUV bit the dust this year.
Built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, shared with the Skoda Elroq ($48,990 before on-roads) and the one-size-larger Volkswagen ID4 ($60,990 before on-roads), the Audi A2 is rear-wheel-drive only.
Available in four outputs overseas (from 125kW and 350Nm, to 240kW and 545Nm) and three battery sizes (52, 61, or 84kWh gross), the more powerful motors are shared with other MEB cars. Claimed WLTP range is “up to 646km”, and the headline consumption claim is 12.8kWh/100km.
The less powerful motors are new, with new semiconductors, windings and anti-friction measures to make the A2 more efficient than earlier MEB cars.
‘Efficiency’ is the watchword for the entire car. The A2 uses existing Audi parts wherever possible, and will be built with existing factory robots, to reduce its financial and resource footprint. A special tyre with low rolling resistance has been developed.
The A2’s drag coefficient is a low 0.24. The clever aerodynamics include carefully designed bodywork above the brakelights to ensure air passes cleanly rather than turbulently, the same principle as an aeroplane winglet.
The A2 e-tron wasn’t called ‘A2’ at first, but British publication Top Gear reports the emphasis on aerodynamics organically led to a car that looked like the 1999 A2.
On the inside, Softwrap – a soft, recycled polyester fabric – covers the dashboard and doors. Plastics are less complex and less intermixed to make recycling easier if and when the car is scrapped.
The Q3’s unusual blinker, headlight and gear stalks on the steering column carry over, greatly increasing storage space in the centre console.
Audi’s particularly proud to roll out Fidlock in the A2. Comparable to Quadlock, Fidlock combines magnets with a mechanical lock to let drivers affix cupholders, bags, tie-down points and any other accessory to Fidlock points in the centre console and boot.
While no official confirmation on a local release has been made by Audi Australia as yet, Chasing Cars understands that the new A2 is under evaluation, with a good chance of making its debut as an EV in the current buyer climate. Promisingly, there’s a form to register your interest in the A2 on Audi’s Australian website.
