One of Audi’s least-loved vehicles has just been given a new lease on life as an e-tron electric vehicle, and it looks adorable. The original Audi A2 was arguably too advanced for its time, arriving as an efficient and lightweight people mover at a time when gas was cheap and lightweight aluminum body panels were not. It was only produced for one model generation before disappearing from the world stage, but perhaps it’s time for a comeback. In celebration of its 25th anniversary, a group of Audi apprentices, dual students, and their supervisors have collaborated on a one-off project to modernize the existing styling and performance of the supermini, creating the one-off A2 e-tron.
Audi
Audi is a German automaker that produces a range of luxury vehicles that combine sporty driving dynamics with the latest technology. Its history goes back over 100 years and includes both production cars and a rich racing heritage.
- Founded
- 1909
- Founder
- August Horch
- Headquarters
- Ingolstadt, Germany
- Owned By
- Volkswagen Group
- Current CEO
- Gernot Döllner
Not Contemporary, But Certainly Modern
The overall shape of the hatchback/mini MPV has not been altered. There’s still a huge windshield and a semicircular roof, making it impossible to mistake the A2 e-tron for anything else. However, there are several modern touches. At the front, the headlights each feature a strip of LED daytime running lights that make the clusters look slimmer, while the upper intake slot has been opened up and now boasts an illuminated Audi logo. The lower intake grille has also been redesigned and now features a large blanking plate below which three small slots appear. The vent in the hood also looks revised, potentially serving an aerodynamic purpose.
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The iconic six-spoke Audi wheels of the era have been enlarged to the point that even some of the lowest stance cars on the planet look like they have more rubber. The look works, though, and fits perfectly with the digital rearview mirrors and flushed door handles. At the rear, the glass roof tapers to a spoiler with an integrated brake light. Below this, the entire tailgate has been flushed, and the license plate has been relocated to a new diffuser-like panel that matches the color scheme and tri-slot layout of the front intake. Modernized taillights and another illuminated Audi logo appear.
Now May Be The A2’s Time To Shine
Not much of the cabin has been revealed, but new fabric seats with aluminum accents showing the one-off’s model name are surely part of a broader interior redesign scheme. So why has Audi put so much effort into a one-off based on a car it no longer produces? One factor is that this reminds the world of Audi’s past innovations while tying them to its latest powertrain technology, e-tron. Another factor is that this sort of thing helps designers find inspiration by looking to the past.
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The A2 was the most fuel-efficient car of its time, and it placed a high emphasis on aerodynamics, so an electric version makes perfect sense. With that in mind, we also can’t overlook the possibility that Audi may be preparing to introduce a new vehicle in the same vein. Audi A2 revivals have been suggested numerous times before, and the AI:ME concept revealed at Auto Shanghai looked very close to production. Most notably, a spiritual successor to the A2 has been teased for 2027.