More than two decades after it disappeared from showrooms, Audi is reviving the A2 as an all-electric hatchback. Once regarded as one of the brand's boldest engineering projects, the A2 is set to return as Audi's most efficient production car yet.
Originally launched in 2000, the A2 was designed as a premium compact family car that prioritised low weight and fuel economy. Its innovative aluminium spaceframe helped deliver exceptional efficiency, with some diesel versions capable of returning up to 75mpg.
However, the same advanced construction that made the A2 so technically impressive also made it prohibitively expensive to build. Production ended in 2005 after just five years, despite the model earning a loyal following for its practicality, spacious cabin and distinctive design.
The new A2 e-tron will become the brand's most affordable electric vehicle, with prices expected to start below £35,000. Positioned as a premium urban EV, it will share Volkswagen Group's latest MEB+ platform with the forthcoming Volkswagen ID.3 Neo.
Audi hopes the revived A2 will appeal to buyers looking for a compact premium electric car, while also capitalising on the cult status the original has achieved since leaving production.
Despite respectable sales, the model is widely reported to have lost the company between £4,000 and £6,000 on every car produced because of the high cost of its aluminium construction. Total losses have been estimated at as much as £1.1 billion, making it one of Audi's most ambitious but least profitable projects.
Its short production run has only enhanced its reputation. Well-preserved examples have become increasingly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors, with the A2 regularly appearing on lists of modern classics.
Audi has hinted at a successor on several occasions. In 2011, it unveiled the A2 Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, although the project never progressed to production.
Audi A2 e-tron design
Audi has yet to reveal the production version of the new A2, with prototypes still disguised beneath camouflage.
Even so, the influence of the original model is immediately apparent. The distinctive sloping roofline, compact proportions and rounded nose all echo the first-generation A2, while the overall silhouette retains the quirky character that made the original stand out.
The new model adopts a sleeker profile than its predecessor, with a significantly lower roofline and more sculpted bodywork designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
Contemporary styling cues include slim LED light bars, tail-lights inspired by Audi's Nuvolari concept, aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels and cleaner surfacing that aligns it with the rest of the e-tron range.
Audi has yet to reveal the interior, although more details are expected ahead of the car's official unveiling later this year.
Battery, performance and range
The A2 e-tron is expected to use the same battery options as the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, offering packs ranging from 50kWh to 79kWh.
Power will come from a rear-mounted electric motor producing between 168bhp and 228bhp, depending on specification.
In Volkswagen's application, the largest battery delivers a WLTP range of up to 390 miles. Thanks to its more aerodynamic body, the Audi could exceed 400 miles on a single charge, giving it a significant advantage over rivals such as the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, which offers up to 252 miles of range.
With the 187bhp motor and Efficiency Pack, the A2 e-tron's quoted efficiency is expected to reach 4.85 miles per kWh.
That would place it among the most efficient electric cars currently available. Only the Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, at 5.1 miles per kWh, and the Tesla Model 3, at 5.0 miles per kWh, currently achieve higher official figures.
Price and UK release date
The A2 e-tron is expected to command only a modest premium over the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo on which it is based.
The Volkswagen starts from £31,850 after the Government's £1,500 Band 2 Electric Car Grant has been applied. Audi's new hatchback is also expected to qualify for the same incentive.
If pricing remains below £35,000, the A2 e-tron will sit less than £6,000 above Audi's entry-level petrol A3, which starts at just under £29,000.
Audi is expected to unveil the new A2 in full this autumn, with order books opening shortly afterwards. The first UK customer deliveries are anticipated in early 2027.