- Audi revives A2 name for small electric SUV aimed at urban buyers.
- New A2 e-tron replaces combustion A1 and Q2 with a single EV.
- MEB platform underpins hatch, meaning it’s limited to 400-volt tech.
It’s official, the A2 is back, or at least its name is. Audi confirmed today that it’s resurrecting the badge it last used in the 2000s on an advanced but slow-selling hatch. Only this time, the A2 plugs in, speaks fluent touchscreen, and Audi hopes it will prove a lot more profitable.
Audi released a silhouetted profile image of the new A2 e-tron ahead of a full reveal this fall, probably at this year’s Munich Motor Show in Germany. The outline closely echoes the look of the original A2 that launched in 1999 with an exotic but expensive all-aluminum body and a lineup of efficient engines, the most frugal of which was a tiny 1.2-liter diesel rated at the equivalent of an incredible 94 mpg (78.4 mpg US, 3L/100 km).
Related: Audi Boss Says Electric Sports Coupe Will Arrive In 2027
But you won’t find any rattly diesel engines or combustion tech of any kind under the A2’s skin, which, being boring old steel, is far less advanced than the old model’s but much cheaper to make. The A2 e-tron rides on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric platform, meaning it shares its bones with cars like the Volkswagen ID.3. That should translate to decent range, familiar tech, and the option of multiple power outputs, but only 400-volt electrics, so no super-fast charging.
Retro Silhouette
Design-wise, Audi says the new car nods to the original, and the teaser image backs that up. The silhouette has a slightly MPV-ish shape with a roofline that slopes gently towards the tail, finishing with a discreet lip spoiler. But we know from spy shots that the new A2 is much wider than the old one, giving the whole car a more planted look, presumably while still impressing with its aerodynamic qualities and interior space as the old car did.
Spy shots also tell us to expect the same clean, tech-heavy layout we’ve already seen in the latest Audis, including the bigger Q6. So big screens, minimal buttons, and enough ambient lighting to make your living room jealous. The A2 may be the smallest Audi EV, but it doesn’t sound like it’ll feel like a cheap one, even though it should be affordable by Audi standards.
Premium Badge, Mass-Market Price
The A2 e-tron, which will be built at Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt, is effectively stepping in for both the A1 and Q2, making it a cornerstone of Audi’s entry-level strategy. And with prices expected to land below £30,000 / €35,000 for the most basic model, it could be a car that brings a whole new crowd into the brand.
“We’ve listened,” said CEO Gernot Döllner. “Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life. The A2 e-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that – efficient, compact, and confident. We’re making entry into the electric Audi world easier and more relevant than ever.”
