Audi wants to abandon the A1 and focus on the upper segment, with a possible return of the A2, this time electric.
When it was released in 1999, the Audi A2 shocks the automotive world: the compact is entirely made of aluminum, extremely aerodynamic, and announces consumption around 3 l / 100 km in diesel. Not to mention its design: we love it or hate it, but few remain unmoved by its curves and mini-MPV proportions.
But the massive use of aluminum and its very modern engines come at a cost: the A2 is then too expensive, and remains a commercial flop.
Since then, it has managed to keep its followers, who regret his disappearance in 2005. And 16 years later, Audi is seriously considering its comeback.
Indeed, like many manufacturers, the mark with the rings notes that it is more and more difficult to find margins on small vehicles like the A1: with ever higher safety standards and ever more difficult CO2 standards, these cars are becoming very expensive to produce, without the manufacturers being able to reflect this on the price. That’s why Renault is going to abandon the Twingo, for example.
Style inspired by a concept from 2019, the ID platform. 3?
And Audi could follow the Frenchman’s path, and launch a retro-inspired model : a new A2. This family city car would be Audi’s new entry level, with the Q2. The boss of the brand, Markus Duesmann, told our colleagues at Autocar that the brand “will continue to produce the Q2, but probably nothing smaller”. Better, Duesmann confides that he “likes the A2”, and that his return is “in discussions: it could take the form of a new A2, or an E2, electric”.
In 2019, Audi presented the AI: ME, an electric compact concept car, incorporating the particular proportions of the icon from the 2000s. The new A2 could be based on this study: but do not expect a design as retro as the future electric R5, it is against Audi’s philosophy.
Concretely, an electric A2 could easily resume the technique of the Volkswagen ID. 3, whose very short hood and plunging windshield are already reminiscent of Audi’s city car. Case to follow!
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Renault 4L: 60 years … and soon a return to electric!
New DS 4 (2021): the French compact against its German rivals!
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The Audi AI concept: ME, 3/4 front
The Audi A2 would then return to electric
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The Audi AI: ME concept, in town
The original A2 was too expensive and remains a commercial flop
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The Audi AI: ME concept at night
The future Audi A2 could use the technique of the Volkswagen ID. 3
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The Audi AI concept: ME, interior
Interior space was a highlight of the Audi A2
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The Audi AI concept: ME, in profile
Audi AI: ME concept presented in 2019
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The Audi AI concept: ME, front panel
Audi boss spoke out in favor of A2 return
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The Audi AI: ME concept, in a parking lot
A new Audi A2 would be Audi’s entry-level electric option
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Audi A1
Audi A1 is too expensive for Audi, and likely won’t be replaced
