The new Audi A2 e-Tron electric car revives the spirit of the original model with its compact and playful styling. It will be built on the MEB+ platform, promising improved range, more space, and faster charging. The model is expected to hit the European market next year, replacing the conventional gasoline-powered Q2.
A New Name for a New Model
Update: Audi’s newest and smallest electric model will have a different name than expected. Many assumed it would bear the Q2 e-Tron designation, considering its role in replacing both the A1 and the conventional Q2, production of which will cease at the end of 2026. However, that is not the case.
According to company executives, Audi plans to revive the very name A2, combining it with the familiar E-tron suffix, in line with the growing electric model range.
The Legacy of the Original A2
Do you remember the original Audi A2 from the early 2000s? This ultra-lightweight compact car with an aluminum space frame was Ingolstadt’s competitor to the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In many ways, it was the BMW i3 before the i3 itself—a car that proved too ahead of its time for its own commercial success.
Launched in 1999 and produced until 2005, the Audi A2 was offered with five engines, including the record-breaking 1.2 TDI with 60 hp, which consumed only 2.99 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Only 176,377 units were produced. While sales did not meet expectations, the A2 has since gained a cult status as a modern classic.
The original Audi A2 was offered from 1999 to 2005.
Now, nearly three decades later, Audi seems ready to return to the spirit of the A2 with the future A2 e-Tron. The model will be positioned below the Q4 e-Tron and will effectively replace the gasoline-powered Q2. It will share its base with the next-generation electric vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, becoming the new entry point into the e-Tron lineup.
Visual Nostalgia
Illustrations based on spy shots show a similar vertical profile to the original A2, but with a more steeply raked windshield and a roofline that tapers sharply towards the C-pillar. The proportions lean more towards a high-riding hatchback aesthetic than the crossover look of its predecessor.
At the front, thin micro-LED daytime running lights are positioned high and wide, while the main headlight units are set lower in the bumper. A bold, fully enclosed grille is framed by sharp creases and more angular air intakes, giving the smallest e-Tron a confident look.
In profile, deep sculpting of the lower surfaces is visible, and door handles are replaced by Mach-e-style flaps. At the rear, the design solutions are more playful: a high-mounted spoiler visually splits the rear window (a nod to the old A2), and the tailgate is updated with a full-width LED light bar.
An Intelligent Interior
Inside, the A2 e-Tron is expected to largely follow themes set by the Q3 and Q5. A curved high-precision digital driver’s display will be paired with a central MMI touchscreen. The AI-based Audi voice assistant will likely be standard, with support for downloadable apps, including media streaming and navigation services.
Other pleasant features will include a suite of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving systems, ambient lighting, and trim options made from eco-friendly materials. Despite compact exterior dimensions, the EV’s flat floor should free up interior space, while trunk volume is predicted to be slightly less than the 520 liters in the Q4 e-Tron.
Platform and Powertrain
SHProshots
Under the hood, or more precisely, at its foundation, the A2 e-Tron is expected to use the new MEB+ architecture from the Volkswagen Group. This updated platform promises a stiffer body, better energy efficiency, and significantly faster charging compared to previous MEB-based models.
Preliminary technical data points to a base front-wheel-drive model with 201 hp, which will be paired with a 63 kWh battery expected to provide a range of around 250 miles. More powerful versions could exceed 268 hp and may be combined with a larger battery offering up to 348 miles of WLTP cycle range.
All-wheel-drive Quattro variants with dual motors are also being developed, aimed at drivers in cold regions or those seeking more traction and performance. Rumors are circulating about the development of sporty RS-badged versions.
Competitors and Presentation
The A2 e-Tron will compete with a growing list of small premium electric cars. These include the Volvo EX30, BMW iX1, Smart #1, Alfa Romeo Junior, and Mini Aceman.
While it was initially assumed the model would appear in 2027, recent reports suggest the A2 e-Tron could debut in the second half of next year, with production expected to be located in Germany.
What do you think about the compact proportions of the smallest e-Tron? We’d love to hear your opinion.
Reviving the A2 name for the electric era is an interesting strategic move for Audi. It allows the brand to leverage the emotional connection and reputation of the innovative model, while clearly positioning the newcomer as a purely electric, modern product. The success of this model may largely depend on how successfully it manages to combine affordability, practicality, and that same “iconic” spirit that made the original such a special, albeit niche, car. Competition in the small premium electric car segment is getting tougher, so Audi will have to offer a compelling set of advantages.