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Audi will add a new model to its electric vehicle lineup. This fall, the German automaker will officially present the compact Audi A2 e-tron. The new model will become a more affordable offer in the premium electric car segment, and its production will be launched at Audi’s main plant in Ingolstadt.
The manufacturer is currently conducting intensive testing to prepare the model for the market. Engineers have taken camouflaged prototypes to Lapland for testing in low temperatures. They check how the car moves on snow-covered roads, frozen lakes and special ice tracks, evaluate the chassis, electric power plant and electronic braking systems in freezing conditions. The engineers also analyze the battery performance and the operation of thermal management systems at extremely low temperatures.
Aerodynamics is extremely important for increasing the range of electric vehicles. Audi uses a special wind tunnel to optimize the body shape of future electric cars. Inside this complex, tests are carried out with simulated wind speeds of up to 300 km/h and a moving platform capable of operating at speeds of up to 235 km/h. Separately, engineers focused on the A2 roof line. They carried out precise acoustic measurements to reduce wind noise and ensure high temperature stability before the start of mass production.
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Driving tests are also being conducted on public roads. Prototypes of the Audi A2 are tested in the Altmühl area of Germany, where different types of pavement, steep climbs, and sharp turns are tested. These tests help to fine-tune the suspension and electronic driver assistance systems.
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The exterior designers were inspired by the original Audi A2, which debuted 25 years ago and became known for its efficient use of interior space. The new Audi A2 e-tron has a silhouette with a forward-facing cabin, sloping windshield and short hood. The roofline drops sharper at the rear compared to other current models of the brand. The prototypes also showcase wide wheel arches and an integrated spoiler.
The profile of the car has many references to the original model, but the front end is made in the modern Audi style. There is a two-level headlight system with narrow daytime running lights on top and main headlights below. The new A2 will fill the niche created by the discontinuation of the gasoline A1 and Q2 and will become a premium electric option alongside the gasoline Audi A3.
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Under the hood, the electric vehicle has a technical platform similar to other Volkswagen Group electric cars. Since the SSP platform is not yet ready and the PPE architecture is intended for larger models, the hatchback will be built on the modernized MEB+ platform used in the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3 Neo. Thanks to this design, the range of the model can be about 643 km. The configuration indicates the use of rear-wheel drive, as existing electric vehicles on this platform do not support all-wheel drive. The compact electric vehicle is expected to be about 5-10 cm shorter than the Q4 e-tron crossover.
The company’s management continues to pay special attention to the segment of more affordable models despite adjustments to the overall launch schedule. Audi CEO Gernot Dellner noted that after reviewing its product strategy, the company postponed the launch of some of the 20 upcoming models and decided to focus on key markets, including the United States and China. At the same time, the segment of compact affordable models remains the brand’s priority.
The new Audi A2 will complement this year’s series of three models – the updated Q7 and the new large SUV Q9.
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