Audi reveals A2 e-tron compact EV starting at 38,200 euros with up to 646 km range

Revival of the A2 nameplate in Paris

Audi unveiled the A2 e-tron on 7 September 2026 in a two-century-old industrial building in Paris, reviving a model name unused since production of the original aluminium vehicle ended in 2005. The rear-wheel-drive compact crossover is engineered specifically for European drivers, addressing demand at the lower end of the brand's product catalog. Preorders for the vehicle open on 10 September 2026, with initial deliveries from the Ingolstadt assembly plant in Germany scheduled for December 2026. Audi CEO Gernot Doellner framed the vehicle's development around resource management and European driving conditions.

In Europe, we need compact and efficient cars for the future.

Premium cannot just mean more -- more power, more resources -- it has to mean using resources more intelligently.

Aerodynamics, battery options, and charging

The vehicle records an energy consumption figure of 12.8 kWh per 100 km in the 140 kW model equipped with the optional efficiency package, representing the lowest consumption announced for an Audi production vehicle. Aerodynamic efficiency reaches a drag coefficient of 0.24, utilizing an enclosed underbody, flush electric door handles, active front cooling intakes, and aerodynamic gap reducers around the 19-inch wheels. Customers can choose between three battery capacities: 52 kWh and 61 kWh packs using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, or an 84 kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. DC fast charging for the 84 kWh pack operates at up to 183 kW, moving from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes, while the 52 kWh and 61 kWh batteries accept up to 100 kW and 105 kW, reaching 80% charge in 24 to 25 minutes. Standard bidirectional charging supports vehicle-to-load devices up to 3.6 kW, with vehicle-to-home capabilities active at launch in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Powertrain performance and cabin packaging

Audi configured the A2 e-tron with four distinct rear-wheel-drive powertrain specifications, with no all-wheel-drive variant planned. The entry-level 125 kW (170 hp) version generates 350 Nm of torque, accelerates to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, and achieves 423 km of WLTP range with the 52 kWh battery. The 140 kW (190 hp) model reaches 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and travels up to 515 km. The 170 kW (231 hp) configuration provides the maximum range of 646 km with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.0 seconds, while the top 240 kW (326 hp) edition produces 545 Nm of torque, reaches 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 km/h. Inside, the cabin features a curved display combining an 11.9-inch digital driver cluster with a 12.8-inch center touchscreen, alongside magnetic Fidlock fastening points for cupholders and cable bags. Cargo capacity measures 396 litres in the rear trunk, expanding to 1,336 litres with the rear seats folded, plus a 13-litre front storage compartment on the two highest-output variants.

European pricing and manufacturing context

Base pricing for the A2 e-tron starts at 37,760 euros in Spain, 38,200 euros in Germany, and 38,600 euros in France, with UK entry pricing set at 32,200 pounds. In France, the 646 km version is listed at 46,900 euros, while the 240 kW flagship costs 52,000 euros. Built on the MEB platform with a 2.77-metre wheelbase shared with the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and Audi Q4 e-tron, the vehicle has an overall length of 4.32 metres. That measurement exceeds the 4.2-metre cap for the European Commission's proposed M1E small-car regulatory super-credit by 12 centimetres. The market launch occurs after Audi reported a 7% sales drop in the first half of 2026, driven by US tariffs and competition in China. Parent company Volkswagen approved workforce reductions in early September 2026, and Audi's Neckarsulm factory faces potential closure after 2030, with no new models scheduled for assembly there after 2034.

We have to review what we are doing in Neckarsulm right now.