Battery size: 58 - 79 kWh
Max charge rate: 105 - 183 kW (est)
WLTP range: 300 – 403 miles (est)
Introduction and model history
The new, electric Audi A2 e-tron has been a long time coming, but I’ve finally had a drive in a prototype car and can tell you what it’s like. It doesn’t disappoint, I’ll say that right now, but first – let’s cover the basics.
The new Audi A2 e-tron has grown in size from the cult original car, which arrived in 1999 and offered impressive space inside a compact body, not to mention class-leading efficiency thanks its lightweight aluminium body.
This new one sticks to the same principles, and has aerodynamics and efficiency as its foremost priorities, while also maximising space inside. Audi has managed to achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.24, which is very impressive, and helps to maximise the range that the A2 can achieve from its modest battery.
It’s now grown closer to the size of the VW ID.3, and while specific tech specs are limited, we know that it’s rear-wheel drive – and we’re expecting it to be offered with a few different batteries and power outputs including the 58kWh model that I’ve driven.
The real news is in the aero that’s been worked into the A2. That drag coefficient makes this one of the slipperiest hatchbacks around. For a bit of context, the VW ID.3 manages 0.26 Cd, and that’s considered an aerodynamic car, too. Audi has used active aero flaps on the front, smoothing under-body coverings and air intakes and ducts around the body to really make the A2 as efficient as possible – but you should check out my vid to see the very clever virtual reality air tunnel that Audi let us show, to really demonstrate how clever the A2 is.
In the meantime, let’s talk batteries!
Range, battery and charging
Audi hasn’t confirmed all the tech details of the new Audi A2, yet, but we do know that one of the batteries on offer will be the 58kWh usable LFP battery (61kWh total capacity). I managed a real-world efficiency and range of 4.4 miles/kWh from the 190hp, 58kWh Audi A2 e-tron in summer temperatures but in awkward driving - always a risk with a video shoot! That's still good efficiency, and is good for around 255 miles (410km) real-world range. But I know others who managed around 5.55 mile/kWh from the same car that I drove, which is good for a real-world range of 322 miles – or 518km! That’s amazing efficiency and range from such a modest battery.
It’s also probable that Audi will offer a 79kWh NMC battery, which early reports suggest would manage 403 miles of WLTP range.
DC rapid charging details also haven’t been confirmed, but the A2 sits on the same MEB+ platform as the VW ID.3 Neo, which manages rapid charging of up to 183kW, so we’d expect much the same from the A2.
One thing that Audi has confirmed is that the Audi will get bi-directional charging including vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home, although the vehicle-to-home charging will be rolled out in certain Europea markets initially before making its way into all markets.
Practicality and boot space
You guessed it... Audi hasn’t confirmed the boot size, or various other practicality details yet. Sorry. All I can say is that we had three adults very comfortably in the A2 e-tron – which is, of course, five door as standard – so that sweeping roofline doesn’t seem to be much of a problem for rear headroom.
It’s a really nice space up front, too, and I found it really easy to get comfortable. Come back later in 2026 for more details on the dash, interior and tech, as that’s all still under wraps.
The doors do have some rather novel ‘wings’ as the handles. These small, fixed, protruding handles help with aerodynamics and are a bit reminiscent of the handles on the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but I really do rather like them.
The wing in the middle of the rear window didn’t bother me as much as I thought, either. I was worried that it’d make it really hard to see what’s behind you, but personally I found that I could still see the cars that were following quite clearly.
Motors, performance and handling
The Audi A2 e-tron I drove had 188hp and rear-wheel drive, and while we don’t have confirmed 0-62mph I reckon it’ll manage the usual sprint in around 8.0 seconds. It’s lovely to drive, too. There’s very little vibration through the pedals or wheel, and it’s super-quiet – even quieter than cars like the ID.3, I reckon. It’s just very refined, and the steering and pedals all feel very natural, so it’s one of those cars that I got into and felt immediately like I could drive it confidently and smoothly. No faffing with modes and settings; it all just gels really nicely. And it also feels really premium. That refinement
Brake regen is controlled by paddles on the steering wheel, which I always think is the best way to do it – I love having full control over the regen levels without using the touchscreen. The A2 has a few fixed levels as well as a one-pedal drive mode, although it didn’t quite bring the car to a full halt in the prototype model I drove. That may change for the production car when it goes on sale, and there may also be adaptive brake regen by then, too. As was a running theme with my time in the Audi A2, execs wouldn’t confirm either way!
It’s very likely that there’ll be a choice of power outputs in the Audi A2. Unofficial reports suggest that it’ll be offered with rear-mounted electric motors including 168-, 188, 228- and even 322hp outputs (I do wonder if that last one might be four-wheel drive, but it’s all speculation, at the moment). That’d certainly be good enough for a 0-62mph time of under 5.0 seconds in the fastest Audi A2 e-tron models.
Specs, pricing and on sale date
Pricing and specs for the Audi A2 haven’t been confirmed for the UK yet, but in Germany it’s been confirmed that it’ll start at €38,200, which is under £33,000 – and that’s about right for where we expect it to start in the UK. That pitches it against rivals like the Volvo EX30, VW ID.3 Neo, Cupra Born, Renault Megane, Nissan Leaf and more. Audi has been open about the fact that the A2 will also offer an option for those buyers who might be looking for a replacement to the Audi A1 and Q2, which were the brand’s small car offerings until very recently.
The only other info we have is that there will be an optional efficiency package, which I can only assume will include the active aero flaps, aero-focussed wheel design and a few other bits. But, yes… We’re still guessing, here, so we’ll just have to wait for more info and official tech and pricing details from Audi before we can say any more.
One thing to note is that Audi only offers a three year, 60,000 mile warranty on its cars, including its EVs. In a world where MG, Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Peugeot and BYD are all offering five years of standard manufacturer warranty, three years does seem a bit poor, doesn’t it? At least the high voltage battery in all Audi EVs are covered for 100,000 miles and eight years.
We’ll be seeing the undisguised Audi A2 e-tron before the end of the year, and we expect sales to start in the UK in the first half of 2027.
Verdict
On the basis of this early prototype drive, I’m really intrigued by the new, electric Audi A2. It’s a car that’s got a lot of love for the original, and this electric one promises some of the same ingenuity and engineering-led focus. But underneath that camouflage, the design looks super cool, too. I love that long, tapering roof and the little wing at the back, and all the little aero features… It’s a clever car. I think it’ll look brilliant, and it’s certainly a pleasure to drive.
You want a more definitive verdict than that?! I’m afraid you’ll just have to wait until we’ve got pricing, interior reveal and further tech details,
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