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Motor1
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Jeff Perez

FOUND: Audi a2 e tron debuts as a small ev with seriously big range - You Need To See This

More than 20 years after the original disappeared from the lineup, the Audi A2 is back. The historic nameplate is returning to Ingolstadt in the form of the A2 E-Tron, an all-electric model that aims to recapture the unconventional, forward-thinking spirit of its predecessor.

Set to arrive in Europe late in 2026 (sorry, it’s almost certainly not coming to the US), the A2 E-Tron puts aerodynamics and unconventional proportions at the heart of its design. Audi claims a WLTP range of up to 401 miles (roughly 350 miles EPA), while the interior promises the kind of space you’d expect from a larger car.

Pricing starts at €38,350 in Germany ($44,500 at current conversion rates).

  • What's new? The A2 is back for 2026 as an all-electric compact hatchback.
  • What's the range? The A2 e-tron offers up to 401 miles of WLTP range, with 52.0-, 61.0-, and 84.0-kWh battery options.
  • What about the design? Aerodynamics are a major focus, with a 0.24 drag coefficient, active air intakes, an enclosed underbody, and more.
  • What's it like inside? Audi has designed the cabin to feel larger than the A2's compact dimensions suggest, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen and up to 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Efficiency Over Everything

The A2 E-Tron is developed around maximum efficiency, albeit without turning the car into an extreme aerodynamic experiment. It measures 170.1 inches long, 70.5 inches wide, and 61.0 inches tall, with a 109.1-inch wheelbase. Short overhangs and a gently sloping roofline help give it a distinctive shape.

The result is a compact car that promises plenty of room inside. Up front, a large black-panel element houses the sensors and main lighting units, with slim daytime running lights positioned above it. At the rear, horizontal LED taillights emphasize the car's width.

Even the door handles were designed with efficiency in mind. They're fully electric, use haptic sensors, and feature a wing-like shape that blends into the side of the body.

But aerodynamics are what really set the A2 E-Tron apart.

With a drag coefficient of 0.24, Audi says it's the most aerodynamic compact model in its lineup. That figure comes from a combination of design choices, including a nearly fully enclosed underbody, active front air intakes, wheel arches designed to reduce turbulence, elements that minimize the gap between the tires and wheel openings, and specially designed aerodynamic wheels.

The A2 E-Tron is available with 18- to 20-inch alloy wheels and 225- or 235-millimeter-wide tires.

Funky, Inside And Out

The cabin is designed to make the A2 E-Tron feel much bigger than its exterior dimensions suggest. Audi's main design theme is called Softwrap, a soft, fabric-covered surface that stretches across the dashboard, continues onto the door panels, and extends into the rear of the cabin.

The driver gets an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus display, paired with a 12.8-inch curved MMI touchscreen. The system includes Audi's AI-powered assistant, an E-Tron route planner, and a range of connected features. Audi has also moved the gear selector to the steering column, freeing up additional space in the center console.

The smartphone charging system is another neat touch. The Qi 2.2-compatible wireless charging pad can charge two phones simultaneously at up to 25 watts and features active cooling to help maintain charging performance.

Audi is also introducing its Fidlock attachment system as standard in the premium segment for the first time. The system combines magnets with mechanical locking, allowing occupants to attach accessories such as cupholders and bags with a simple click.

An optional panoramic glass roof provides roughly 17.2 square feet of glass area. There are also numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin, including space for bottles up to 50.7 ounces.

The cargo area provides 14.0 cubic feet of storage, expanding to 47.2 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks folded. The 228-hp and 322-hp versions also get a small 0.5-cubic-foot front trunk.

Tiny Car, Big Range

The A2 E-Tron lineup uses permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors exclusively, with power sent to the rear wheels. Four power levels are available, producing 168, 187, 228, and 322 horsepower.

The range-topping version is also the quickest, accelerating from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds and reaching a top speed of 124 mph. The other versions are limited to 99 mph, with 0-to-62-mph times of 8.8, 7.9, and 7.0 seconds, respectively.

Audi offers three battery sizes: 52.0, 61.0, and 84.0 kilowatt-hours. The two smaller packs use LFP cells, while the 84.0-kWh battery uses NMC chemistry.

Battery Power WLTP Range 0-62 MPH
52.0 kWh 168 HP 263 Miles 8.8 Seconds
61.0 kWh 187 HP 320 Miles 7.9 Seconds
84.0 kWh 228 HP 391 Miles 7.0 Seconds
84.0 kWh 322 HP 401 Miles 5.7 Seconds

Claimed WLTP range varies considerably depending on the configuration. The 168-hp model with the 52.0-kWh battery can travel up to 263 miles, while the 187-hp version with the 61.0-kWh pack is rated for 320 miles. The 228-hp A2 E-Tron with the 84.0-kWh battery has the longest range at 401 miles. The range-topping 322-hp version, also equipped with the 84.0-kWh battery, is rated for 391 miles.

DC fast charging peaks at 183 kilowatts on the more powerful versions. Audi says a 10-to-80-percent charge takes between 24 and 29 minutes, depending on the configuration.

Bidirectional charging is another interesting feature. The A2 e-tron can act as a mobile power source for external devices through Vehicle-to-Load (V2L). In compatible markets, it can also send energy back to a home through Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), effectively allowing the car to serve as a home energy storage system.

How Much Will The A2 Cost?

In Germany, the A2 E-Tron starts at €38,350 for the 168-hp version with the 52.0-kWh battery. Pricing climbs past €50,000 for the more powerful and better-equipped versions. Audi is expected to release the full pricing breakdown in the coming weeks.

Sadly, the new A2 E-Tron isn’t expected to make its way Stateside.

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