The Audi A2 e-tron, up close. What it’s like and how much it costs

Audi is returning to the compact car segment with a familiar name and a car that is completely different from its predecessors. We saw the new Audi A2 e-tron in the flesh in Paris at its world premiere, where the model showcased its stylistic links to the original A2 from 1999 without directly replicating its shapes and proportions. The new generation is launched as a purely electric model, features rear-wheel drive and will be available with four power output levels ranging from 170 to 326 cavalli. Its Italian launch is scheduled for January 2027.

The Audi A2 e-tron is 4.32 metres long and has a wheelbase of 2.77 metres, similar in size to the larger Q4 e-tron. This design choice allows for more space in the cabin without significantly increasing the vehicle’s external dimensions. In person, the nod to the 1999 A2 is most evident in the roofline, the front end and the spoiler that divides the rear window. The front end incorporates headlights and sensors for driver assistance systems within a black panel, whilst the door handles are electric and remain flush with the bodywork. A significant part of the design process was dedicated to aerodynamics. The A2 e-tron achieves a drag coefficient (Cx) of 0.24 thanks to the shape of the bodywork, the aerodynamic underbody and modifications to the wheel arches. There are air vents to manage airflow, dedicated elements around the wheels and an adaptive front air intake that remains closed under normal driving conditions and opens when additional cooling is required.The boot has a capacity of 396 litres in the five-seat configuration and increases to 1,336 litres with the rear seats folded down. At the front, there is a second 13-litre storage compartment on the 231 cavalli version, which can also be used to store charging cables.

The range starts with the 170 cavalli, 350 Nm version, followed by the 190 cavalli variant, also with 350 Nm. Higher up the range are the 231 cavalli A2 e-tron and the 326 cavalli variant, the latter with 545 Nm of torque. All models feature a single rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and rear-wheel drive. The entry-level version uses a 52 kWh battery pack, whilst the 190 cavalli version steps up to 61 kWh. Both utilise lithium-iron-phosphate cells integrated directly into the battery pack without the traditional division into modules. The 231 and 326 cavalli variants, on the other hand, are fitted with an 84 kWh battery using nickel-manganese-cobalt chemistry. The longest range is claimed for the 231 cavalli version, which reaches up to 646 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. In terms of claimed energy consumption, the 190 cavalli variant fitted with the Efficiency package – which includes aerodynamic wheels, sports suspension and S line styling – consumes 12.8 kWh per 100 kilometres. DC charging is available at up to 183 kW. The navigation system can pre-condition the battery before arriving at a charging station, whilst four levels of energy recovery are available whilst driving, along with a mode that allows the driver to manage most deceleration using the accelerator pedal alone.

Inside, the A2 e-tron incorporates several features already found in higher-end models. In front of the driver is an 11.9-inch screen flanked by a 12.8-inch curved display dedicated to the multimedia system. An augmented reality head-up display is also available as an option. The gear selector is positioned on the steering column, freeing up space in the centre console. This area also houses two wireless charging pads, each rated at 25 watts, featuring magnetic alignment and cooling. Optional extras include a 1.6-square-metre panoramic glass roof and a Sonos audio system with 14 speakers, a subwoofer and a maximum power output of 660 watts. The acoustic windscreen comes as standard, whilst acoustic glass for the front windows is available as an option. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, parking assist, a rear-view camera and automatic emergency braking. There are also systems that intervene when changing lanes, opening the doors and reversing. Among the more sophisticated features is a system capable of storing up to five parking manoeuvres and repeating them automatically. The reversing assistant, meanwhile, can record the last 50 metres travelled and replay the route in reverse. The A2 e-tron also supports bidirectional charging. Via the vehicle-to-load function, it can power electrical devices using a socket in the boot or an adapter connected to the charging port. The vehicle-to-home function will also be available at a later date, designed to use the car’s battery as a storage system for the home via a compatible wallbox.

The Audi A2 e-tron will be manufactured in Ingolstadt and is due to arrive at Italian dealerships in January 2027. Prices will start at 38,350 euros.