Audi Is Relaunching the A2 Hatchback as Part of Its e-tron Range
The original A2 was all about maximizing space for a small footprint, and the new e-tron version is too.Aerodynamic efficiency is very impressive, at just a 0.24 coefficient of drag.It likely won't come to the ...
- The original A2 was all about maximizing space for a small footprint, and the new e-tron version is too.
- Aerodynamic efficiency is very impressive, at just a 0.24 coefficient of drag.
- It likely won't come to the U.S. market, but features like cooled smartphone charging pads might show up in other models that do.
Audi has long offered many models in its European range that don't make their way across the Pacific, but for this we have forgiven it. Reason being that Audi finally made all our fast-wagon dreams come true with the U.S.-spec C8-generation RS6 Avant, so it seems poor form to gripe about not getting some of the four-ring's smaller fare.
However, Audi's most recent Euro-only launch does look pretty tempting, especially in a time of high fuel prices and rising vehicle MSRPs. It's the return of the plucky A2, a handsome compact hatchback that blends a practical layout with excellent aerodynamic efficiency, and it's now fully electric as part of Audi's e-tron range.
The original A2 debuted overseas for the 2000 model year, and it's developed something of a cult following. Resembling an Audi TT that's been stung by a swarm of bees, it blended the curving lines of this era of Audi with maximum space per square inch of footprint.
In an age when compact crossovers are common, this new A2 e-tron is much less radical looking, but it has some unique elements. The rear hatch, for instance, has two glass panels like a classic Honda CRX or older Toyota Prius. It's not a styling choice alone but, similar to the Toyota, form follows function to achieve a lower drag coefficient. Audi claims a drag figure of 0.24, the lowest in its current compact range.
Aerodynamic slipperiness helps the A2 e-tron make the most of its battery pack, which comes in three sizes: 52.0 kWh, 61.0 kWh, and 84.0 kWh. For the latter, range is rated at an impressive 401 miles, based on Europe’s optimistic WLTP test cycle.
It's also pretty punchy, with a claimed zero-to-60-mph time of around 5.7 seconds. If Audi did want to bring the A2 e-tron to the U.S. market, this would be the one to have, with 322 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque.
Even if you don't ever see the A2 e-tron in your local Audi dealership, some of the features it has might trickle through to new U.S.-bound models in the pipeline. The exterior door handles are fully haptic with winglets, similar to those of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the wireless charging pad for smartphones features active cooling. This last is an excellent innovation, as most wireless chargers seem designed to griddle your phone.
In the trunk, there's also something Audi calls its Fidlock system, and this is something that would be extremely useful in that aforementioned RS6 Avant. It's a mechanical and magnetic locking system to hold bags and other objects in place, and it would be super handy for getting home from the grocery store in a spirited manner without opening your trunk and finding that you'd accidentally made station-wagon Caesar salad.
Cost for the entry model is the equivalent of just under $45,000, rising to just under $60,000 for the top model. That's not much less expensive than the Q4 e-tron, but there's still probably room for a smaller, sportier electric crossover in the Audi U.S. range.
Just don't expect one any time soon. For now, keep your fingers crossed for an A2 e-tron as your next European vacation rental car, and watch for Fidlock in the next generation of Q-series crossovers.
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Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.