Audi has revealed its new A2 e-tron, a compact electric hatchback that will become the entry point to the German carmaker's EV lineup, priced from £32,200 with a maximum range of up to 401 miles.
That top figure puts the A2 ahead of small EV rivals such as the Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, which offer maximum ranges of between 370 and 390 miles, and on par with much larger long-range electric cars. Audi said the A2 is its most efficient model ever made, consuming as little as 12.8kWh per 100km, or 62 miles.
The class-leading 401-mile figure is reserved for the top of the range versions. The entry-level car, starting at £32,200, offers 262 miles of range.
The new A2 marks the return of the 2000s icon after more than 20 years off sale, reinventing the short-lived but much-loved model for the electric era. UK order books open next month, with first deliveries expected in early 2027.
Exterior design
The influence of the original 2000s A2 is obvious in the new version, with its sloping roofline and short, rounded nose recalling the bubbly, slightly toy-like shape of the original. The new EV is more svelte, however, with a lozenge shape and a lower roof than the boxier original car.
Modern touches include taillights inspired by Audi's Nuvolari concept, aerodynamically optimised wheels and sleek light bars, all designed to keep the A2 in line with other e-tron models while reducing drag.
Interior and technology
Inside, the A2 is dominated by an 11.9-inch instrument display and a 12.8-inch curved touchscreen, forming Audi's panoramic MMI display. The car comes with Audi voice assist and AI, as well as Microsoft Teams online integration.
A 14-speaker Sonos audio system and aero-acoustic engineering are fitted to keep the cabin quiet, alongside front and rear microfibre and cloth seats designed with roominess in mind and a 396-litre boot. That is less than the Kia EV3's 460 litres but more than the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo's 385 litres.
The A2 is also the first Audi to use "Fidlock," a German fastening system that uses magnets and mechanical locks to let owners move and place cupholders wherever suits them.
Adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, Parking System Plus, Side Assist with Exit Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Assist are expected to come as standard, though more advanced assists and surround cameras will cost extra.
Performance and range
Audi will offer the rear-wheel drive A2 e-tron with three battery options: 52kWh, 61kWh and 84kWh, paired with four power outputs ranging from 168bhp to 322bhp.
The entry-level 168bhp version with the 52kWh battery offers 262 miles of range. The 187bhp version, using the 61kWh battery, can manage 320 miles, described by Audi as enough for London to Falmouth on a single charge.
The 228bhp and 322bhp versions, both using the 84kWh battery, can achieve 401 miles and 391 miles respectively, with the higher figure equivalent to London to Edinburgh without stopping.
To hit those numbers, Audi focused on reducing drag, giving the A2 e-tron a drag coefficient of 0.24, the lowest of any model in its compact range. The 322bhp version, the most powerful in the lineup, has a top speed of 124mph and can go from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.
DC charging is available at up to 183kW, with the 84kWh battery taking around 29 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent. The smaller batteries charge at 100kW or 105kW. Audi puts the A2's efficiency at 5.1 miles per kWh, ahead of the Kia EV3's figures of between 3.9 and 4.1 miles per kWh.
The A2 also features bi-directional charging, allowing it to power external electronics plugged into the car, and a Vehicle-to-Home function that can use the car's battery to power a house.
Return of a 2000s icon
The original A2 went on sale in 2000 but was discontinued by 2005. In the five years it spent in showrooms, Audi delivered around 176,000 examples worldwide.
The original car's demise came down to cost. Its lightweight all-aluminium space frame drove extremely high production costs, and Audi is reported to have lost around £6,000 on every car it built, leading to the model being axed after five years.
Pricing and availability
British buyers can expect to pay £32,200 for the base-spec Audi A2 e-tron, with orders opening in October 2026 and deliveries expected from early 2027.
More electric car reviews
Other new electric models recently road-tested include the Volkswagen ID.Polo, Kia EV2, Geely EX2, Vauxhall Astra, Lepas L8 and Honda Prelude.
