Sun-Powered Boat Completes Round-The-World Trip

Audi A2 reaches concept stage, electric version in the works

 
11 10,359 views Mar 24, 2009

audi a2 rendering 001

audi a2 rendering 001

audi a2 rendering 001

Enlarge Photo
Most major automakers are working on a new generation of compact vehicles to help meet tough emissions and fuel-economy standards set to roll in over the next couple of years. One of the most active in the industry is Audi, which is reportedly working on a handful of new models all positioned below its current entry-level vehicle, the A3.

These new models will include a production version of the A1 Metroproject concept, which will likely be offered in a number of combinations including three and five-door models, as well as a Sportback, Cabrio, and Hybrid. Then there’s an Audi version of Volkswagen’s new minicar, which will be based on the same NSF platform found in the up! concept car. Finally, a successor to the slow-selling A2 compact will also be launched.

Speaking with Autocar, Audi R&D chief Michael Dick revealed that a concept for the A2 has been created and is currently being shown to management at the company’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany. Dick said the car will “be recognisable as an A2 but very different from the old car”. He went on to reveal that an all-electric version will also be offered at launch, which has pushed back the car’s release date to around 2014.

This computer generated rendering gives a good indication as to what the new A2 may look like, revealing a traditional hatchback body with a five-door design.

The original A2 utilized expensive aluminum construction, which essentially priced it out of the small car segment and led to its market failure. For the new model, Audi will share components with sister-company Volkswagen in an effort to keep costs low. This means that it will likely share components with the 2010 Polo, including several new compact three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Audi A2 preview

HI-RES GALLERY: audi a2 rendering 001




Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (11)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 11/28/2008 8:45am PST

    Thought the A2 was being dropped because of the A1
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. ma_NaBUru38 avatar NaBUru38 Posted: 11/28/2008 12:14pm PST

    "a sporty hatch with a tall roof design"

    In plain English, "a mini MPV".
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 11/28/2008 10:26pm PST

    Sp basically an Audi version of the Mazda 5
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. ma_NaBUru38 avatar NaBUru38 Posted: 12/1/2008 12:01pm PST

    No, that would be a compact MPV. I mean something under 4.10 meters long, like the Soul, C3 Picasso, Meriva, Note... or A-Class.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 12/17/2008 5:04pm PST

    Gotcha, still thought the A2 was terrible, and think that the A1 should get a 5 door, wagon and such and drop the A2 name
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. ma_HECTOR avatar HECTOR Posted: 12/18/2008 3:03am PST

    I've been into cars all of my life and I still don't understand what is the point of having a car a few inches smaller than the A3 and a few inches bigger than the (upcoming) A1.

    I mean, what kind of moronic tool would buy this car? I don't even understand why someone would buy the glorified VW Golf that is the A3! But to actually fork over the money for something like an A2, 1 series or A class is waaaaaay beyond me.

    And then they go ahead and make 17 different varieties of these spoiled-teenage-girl mobiles. Well, I said it before: at least when you see someone driving one of these things it lets you know what they are at first glance.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. ma_iluvamericancarz avatar iluvamericancarz Posted: 12/18/2008 4:22am PST

    thats six years away, and we already know this much, its like audi is so proud it can produce microcars, srick to the big stuff like the A8. i thought A2 was discontinued years ago.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. ma_drew avatar drew Posted: 3/24/2009 5:13pm PDT

    Hector "i dont even understand why someone would by the audi a3" will seeing as it is a different car than the VW golf, it has all wheel drive which the golf doesnt, different engine variations, better interior and looks. I mean do some research before you leave such dumb comments
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 3/24/2009 6:15pm PDT

    thats six years away, and we already know this much, its like audi is so proud it can produce microcars, srick to the big stuff like the A8. i thought A2 was discontinued years ago.

    It was discontinued in 2005
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. ma_Chris avatar Chris Posted: 3/24/2009 10:32pm PDT

    noname, how dare you compare the 1 series to the A class (or B class for that matter) or the A1, A2, or even A3.

    on that front, A1 is a funky city car which will probably break the knees of anyone over 40 years old. the A2 will sit a little higher, and accommodate those who dont want to get onto their knees to get into their car. the A3, as you pointed out is a compact hatch. there. its all explained. A1 and A2 will use common drive train, clearly... its just a distinction between a sporty city car and a boring city car.

    would you buy an iPod if apple made iPod branded microwaves? no.. you'd be less inclined to.. cause its less sexy. who cares if you know the circuitry is shared between the two... you want the microwave to be called iWave, not iPod.

    ps., I hold the TM for iWave. called it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 3/25/2009 11:14am PDT

    noname, how dare you compare the 1 series to the A class (or B class for that matter) or the A1, A2, or even A3.

    on that front, A1 is a funky city car which will probably break the knees of anyone over 40 years old. the A2 will sit a little higher, and accommodate those who dont want to get onto their knees to get into their car. the A3, as you pointed out is a compact hatch. there. its all explained. A1 and A2 will use common drive train, clearly... its just a distinction between a sporty city car and a boring city car.

    would you buy an iPod if apple made iPod branded microwaves? no.. you'd be less inclined to.. cause its less sexy. who cares if you know the circuitry is shared between the two... you want the microwave to be called iWave, not iPod.

    ps., I hold the TM for iWave. called it.

    That is the range those cars end up in, take it up with them
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.