Audi Brings Back the A2 After 25 Years as the New A2 e-tron Electric Crossover
The crossover revives the original’s boxy silhouette and split-glass rear window with a modern 0.24 drag coefficient.
Summary
Audi revives the A2 badge after 25 years with an electric crossover tailored for European EV demand
The new model swaps the expensive all-aluminum construction of the 1999 original for a steel-dominant build starting at £32,200 GBP
The lineup is strictly rear-wheel drive on the MEB platform and tops out with a 322 hp flagship model
Twenty-five years after the original model debuted as an expensive outlier, the four rings are running it back with the 2027 Audi A2 e-tron. The 1999 Audi A2 was an all-aluminum vehicle that hit the streets ahead of the market curve, ultimately suffering from poor sales due to its premium price tag. Today’s reboot completely flips that script. By trading the costly, lightweight aluminum construction of its predecessor for a primarily steel body with select aluminum components, Audi is delivering an accessible electric crossover. Priced from £32,200 GBP, the new A2 e-tron directly capitalizes on strong European EV demand, transforming a commercial failure into a strategically timed volume player. Audi pushed the crossover from the drawing board to its official debut in a rapid 21 months, though the vehicle will not be available for purchase in the United States.
Visually, the new crossover heavily borrows design elements from the 1999 original, bringing back the signature boxy shape and the split-glass rear window. However, this modern iteration is obsessed with aerodynamic efficiency, achieving a drag coefficient of 0.24. That wind-cheating profile is aided by an enclosed underbody, an active cooling intake, aero wheels and specialized aerodynamic components fitted around the wheel arches. Moving away from traditional hardware, the vehicle features wing-type door handles integrated at the base of the door pillars. These exterior handles use sensors to open electrically and pack their own backup energy storage to ensure functionality.
Built entirely on the MEB platform, all configurations of the A2 e-tron are exclusively rear-wheel drive and entirely omit Audi’s signature Quattro system. Buyers are offered three gross battery capacities: 52 kWh, 61 kWh and 84 kWh. The base 52 kWh battery links to a 168 hp (125 kW) single motor, yielding a 262-mile range and an 8.8-second sprint to 62 mph. Stepping up to the 61 kWh option provides a 187 hp (140 kW) motor, dropping the 0-62 mph time to 7.9 seconds while pushing the range to 320 miles. Models equipped with the 84 kWh battery generate 228 hp (170 kW), hit 62 mph in 7 seconds and achieve a 401-mile maximum range on the European WLTP cycle. For peak performance, the flagship version delivers 322 hp (240 kW), a 5.7-second 0-62 mph time, a 391-mile range and a top speed of 124 mph.
The architecture supports bi-directional charging across the board. DC charging maxes out at 183 kW on the 84 kWh battery, filling the pack from 10 to 80 percent in 29 minutes. The smaller 52 kWh and 61 kWh batteries are limited to 100 kW charging rates but manage the same 10 to 80 percent charge in a faster 24 minutes. Inside the cabin, the tech is front and center with an 11.9-inch digital instrument display and a 12.8-inch curved touchscreen. Audi relocated the gear selector to the steering column, freeing up center console space for a 25-watt Qi 2.2 pad that charges two smartphones simultaneously. The crossover rides on a 2,770 mm (109-inch) wheelbase, offers 396 liters of trunk space and is officially the first production car to utilize Fidlock, a magnetic mounting system with a mechanical lock for securing modular items like cupholders and charging cables.
