Audi is reintroducing the A2 badge on a new compact electric vehicle designed to serve as the entry point of its EV lineup in Europe, though the automaker has no plans to bring it to the United States.

The A2 e-tron is already on sale across Europe, with first customer deliveries expected in December. Audi describes the car as "specifically tailored to the needs of European customers," a departure from the approach taken with the now-discontinued Q2, which had been engineered with a possible U.S. launch in mind. Pricing in Germany starts at 38,200 euros, or roughly $44,700, undercutting the Q2 while offering a longer driving range in a smaller footprint.

The A2 name last appeared on Audi's aluminum-bodied hatchback built from 1999 to 2005, a car celebrated for its light weight, aerodynamic shape and unusual packaging. The new A2 chases similar goals but relies on a steel-based structure and Volkswagen Group's MEB electric platform with 400-volt architecture, technology that debuted on the Volkswagen ID.3 in 2019.

The A2 e-tron is rear-wheel drive only, powered by a rear-mounted permanent-magnet motor paired with silicon-carbide electronics and a refined single-speed transmission meant to cut mechanical losses. Four powertrain and battery configurations will be offered, ranging from 168 hp to 322 hp, with the quickest version reaching 62 mph in 5.7 seconds versus 8.8 seconds for the base model. Battery options include a 52-kWh pack rated at 263 miles under Europe's WLTP cycle, a 61-kWh pack at 320 miles, and an 84-kWh pack reaching 401 miles. The smaller packs use lithium iron phosphate cells in a cell-to-pack design, while the largest uses nickel manganese cobalt chemistry. Fast-charging from 10% to 80% takes between 24 and 29 minutes depending on battery size.

Audi calls the A2 its most efficient series-production EV yet, citing a 0.24 drag coefficient and efficiency near 4.9 miles per kWh in the 188-hp version with an optional package. Measuring about 168 inches long, the A2 sits between subcompact and compact size classes but offers generous interior space thanks to a 109.1-inch wheelbase.

Inside, a fabric-covered "softwrap" design element extends across the dashboard and doors, alongside an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and 12.8-inch curved touchscreen. Cargo space totals 14 cubic feet, expanding to 47 cubic feet with seats folded, plus a small frunk on higher-end trims. The car also supports bidirectional charging for home energy use.

Audi says the A2 was developed 21 months faster than prior programs and will be built alongside the A3 in Ingolstadt, Germany, reusing more than 1,200 existing manufacturing assets, including 250 robots from discontinued models.

Source: WardsAuto

Catch up on our earlier post: Audi Weighs Manufacturing Another Electric Vehicle in Barcelona While Preparing New Cuts