by Audi is gearing up to introduce the A2 e-tron this fall and they’ve announced it’s the “most efficient” vehicle they’ve ever made. More importantly, the company has released some initial specifications.
Jumping right into the numbers, the automaker confirmed there will be a variant with a 61 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery that powers a rear-mounted motor developing 188 hp (140 kW / 190 PS). The latter is hardly surprising as the similar Volkswagen ID.3 Neo also has a motor with the same output.
More: Audi A2 E-Tron Ditches Disguise And Reveals A Familiar Design
Audi was coy on additional details, but confirmed the model will offer an optional efficiency package. It will enable the A2 to have an energy consumption of 12.8 kWh per 100 km (62 miles). Doing some quick math, that suggests the car will have a range of around 477 km (296 miles) under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure.
Thanks to the use of Volkswagen’s latest APP350 drive unit, the powertrain is more efficient than previous versions as it sports silicon carbide semiconductors, variable switching frequency, thinner laminations, and an improved transmission that reduces friction losses.
The automaker also noted the LFP battery uses a cell-to-pack design, which increases density and allows for a relatively beefy battery in a small package. They added the battery “does not require rare earth elements, ages more slowly than many alternatives, and is considered particularly safe.”
The 188 hp (140 kW / 190 PS) A2 e-tron will have a 105 kW DC fast charging capability that will take the battery from 0-80% in as little as 26 minutes. Buyers will also find an “adapted cooling strategy” that allows for 89.6% wallbox charging efficiency.
Audi also mentioned two other variants. The first uses a more powerful APP350 unit developing 228 hp (170 kW / 231 PS) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque. The other has a rear-mounted APP550 with up to 322 hp (240 kW / 326 PS) and 402 lb-ft (545 Nm).
As expected, the model appears to be rear-wheel drive only. That’s a notable departure for a brand that is famous for quattro all-wheel drive, but the A2 e-tron is focused on efficiency and affordability.
Speaking of which, the car has a relatively basic 400V electrical architecture and rides on the MEB+ platform. Those aren’t anything to get excited about, but the model will have Vehicle-to-Load and Vehicle-to-Home bidirectional charging functions.
To help ensure the A2 e-tron was efficient as possible, designers focused on aerodynamics and equipped the model with wheel deflectors, underbody paneling, and a diffuser. They’re joined by aerodynamic wheels, air curtains, and a splitter.
On top of that, the model has been equipped with an active air intake. It stays closed most of the time to reduce drag, but opens during charging, rapid acceleration, and high temperatures to keep things cool.
Thanks to these efforts, the A2 e-tron has a drag coefficient of 0.24. Audi also said the styling features lower energy consumption by up to 0.9 kWh/100 km (0.9 kWh/62 miles).
