Audi expands its battery-electric vehicle lineup with a new compact hatchback with a name from the past! The A2 e-tron is the most efficient Audi to date and its design pays tribute to the 1990s vehicle of the same name. Featuring short overhangs and a rounded shape, this little guy looks like nothing else on the road. Most importantly, it features the brand’s latest design language complete with a reimagined faux singleframe grille with integrated LED headlights and high-mounted LED daytime running lights.
From the side, the Audi A2 e-tron has a sleek, curvy silhouette that highlights its aerodynamic shape. Meanwhile, the rear end features a split rear window and narrow LED taillights. This shape serves a function, though. It’s one of the ways the A2 e-tron achieves a low 0.24 drag coefficient. That helps enhance its efficiency and improves its driving range. Additionally, optimize side mirrors, door seals with dual sealing lines, and a water deflector channel along the window edges keep interior noise levels down. The A2 e-tron also includes an acoustic glass windshield and front windows, and a tailgate seal that reduces wind noise.
Looking for a sportier look? The S line exterior adds high gloss-black side skirts and window trim, a sporty rear diffuser, and aerodynamically designed front air intakes. It also features cool exterior colors like Daytona Gray and Intense Blue, as well as a contrasting Mythos Black finish. Wheel sizes range from 18 to 20 inches in diameter.
Audi A2 e-tron: A Properly Luxurious Cabin
Stepping inside, the A2 e-tron features plenty of storage compartments and a cool ambient lighting system for extra pizzazz. An optional panoramic glass roof opens up the cabin to natural light, while ergonomically contoured seats promise plenty of comfort. Massive front door pockets can hold a 1.25L (42 oz) water bottle, while the center console can hold a large 1.5L (51 oz) bottle. Audi also opened up space by moving the shifter to the steering column. This frees up space for dual 25W Qi 2.2 standard wireless chargers with a magnet and active cooling. Additionally, the A2 e-tron feature the patented Fidlock system, which uses strong magnets with a mechanical locking mechanism to strap down small items in the cabin.
On the tech front, the A2 e-tron has the latest Audi MMI interface. It combines an 11.9-inch digital cluster with a curved 12.8-inch main touchscreen. You can also add an optional augmented reality head-up display and a 14-speaker Sonos premium audio system. The infotainment system features an EV route planner that predictively schedules charging stops and can automatically activate battery preconditioning. It takes into accound traffic, route topography, and real-time charging station availability to give you the best route. You can also manually adjust the route if needed.
Every A2 e-tron comes with a full suite of driver assistance technologies. This includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, evasive steering assist, and intersection assist. You can also add a surround view camera, Reverse Assist, and Park Assist Plus. Additionally, the available Trained Parking feature can learn and repeat the last five a maneuvers. It features a remote function that lets the driver initiate automated parking from the myAudi app or inside the vehicle.
Familiar Power Source
At launch the A2 e-tron will offer three battery options: 52, 61, and 84 kWh packs. Under ideal conditions, DC charging time takes under 30 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. The smaller packs have a peak rate of 100 and 105 kW respectively, while the 84-kWh battery maxes out at 183 kW. With the 52-kWh battery, the A2 e-tron has 125 kW or 167 hp. Moving up to larger 61-kWh unit ups to output to 140 kW or 188 hp. Opting for the largest battery increases output to 228 hp. All single motor RWD models have 258 lb-ft of torque. The dual-motor AWD setup only comes with largest battery. It makes 322 hp and 402 lb-ft, allowing it to hit 100 km/h or 62 mph in 5.7 seconds.
Looking for the most driving range? Opt for the single-motor RWD model with the 84-kWh pack, which has a rating of 646 km or 401 miles on the WLTP cycle. Meanwhile the dual-motor model has a driving range rating og 630 km or 391 miles. Models with the 52-kWh battery are WLTP-rated at 423 km or 263 miles, while opting for 61-kWh pack increases that to 320 miles.
To complement that power, the A2 e-tron has an available sport suspension on most variants. Both that and the standard comfort suspension feature stiffer anti roll bars. Furthermore, a suspension with damper control comes standard on dual-motor AWD models and is an option on the single-motor RWD variant with the 84-kWh battery. The A2 e-tron features four drive modes: comfort, balanced, efficiency, and dynamic. It complements these with three levels of regenerative braking plus a B mode for one-pedal driving. A progressive steering system is available as part of the Tech Plus package and standard on dual-motor AWD models.
Audi A2 e-tron: Europe Only
Unfortunately, the A2 e-tron is forbidden fruit for the U.S. The German automaker has no plans to bring it to North America. We’d love to have it here because of its efficiency, size, and technology. It also makes extensive use of recycle materials in its construction and inside the cabin, resulting in a more sustainable vehicle that’s easier to recycle at the end of its service life. That’s something we can get behind! For now, we look at the A2 e-tron with admiration from across the Atlantic. Order books for Europe open in the fall, with first deliveries starting at the end of the year.
Source: Audi
