Audi confirms A2 return for 2026 as new EV
Cult classic city car makes its return this year, with electric power and familiar silhouette
Cool car, the original Audi A2. Aluminium construction made it light and efficient, its funky design was great for aero, and it was beautifully built. While that made for a truly innovative, very interesting small Audi, it did also make it quite expensive - so not very many sold. Those left (good ones, at any rate) are now quite prized as early visions of what more sustainable urban mobility looked like.
Here is what the next one will be, Audi releasing a teaser image of the upcoming A2 e-tron ahead of a full reveal later in 2026. Even without the name confirmed, the inspiration of this new EV is clear, its outline tapering quite dramatically towards the rear just like the original. Even in the dark, this looks like an Audi A2. And no better time or application for an aero-efficient design to make a comeback. Audi says the new car will ‘further rejuvenate’ its range and ‘open up access to premium electric mobility’.
Which sounds like a more affordable Audi EV, put most simply, the A2 underpinned by the same architecture as is coming for the Cupra Raval and VW ID. Polo. “We’ve listened. Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life. The A2 e-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that – efficient, compact, and confident. We’re making entry into the electric Audi world easier and more relevant than ever,” said CEO Gernot Döllner.
Perhaps an admission that some of the pricier Audi EVs - the Q8 e-tron SUV springs to mind most obviously - haven’t hit the mark in terms of critical success or popularity. As many others are now discovering, urban mobility suits electrification down to the ground; those in bigger cars, with bigger journeys to do, still seem to prefer some form of combustion assistance.
Further evidence of that belief can be seen in the fact that the A2 will arrive at a similar time to what’s being called the ‘full-size Audi Q9’. Notably, no e-tron is attached to that name, probably as it will follow Porsche’s approach with the giant SUV of plug-in powertrains. With the rest of the range also pretty new, Audi sees the A2 and Q9 as the final two pieces of the puzzle, the ‘two product lines that strategically perfect the portfolio at the top end and at the entry point.’ Interestingly, the electric A2 will be built in Ingolstadt.
While no powertrain details have been confirmed for the moment, expect similar stats to those of the Raval: front-drive, 230hp or so, around 1.5 tonnes and with more than 200 miles of range. Where the Cupra will rival the Alpine A290 as a small EV hot hatch, the Audi is likely to be a stylish, sophisticated alternative to the Mini. Just as it was 25 years ago, in fact. And if the old days of eco consciousness still appeal, look at this: an A2 TDI bought by its last owner from the Audi dealership in 2005, and still capable of 80mpg. What a way to hypermile that could be…
I'd love to think that we'll have another clever car, but I have my doubts. Audi lost money on the A2, and it was not quite the right car for a conservatively-minded public. I cannot see Audi having the same degree of bravery (or commercial foolhardiness?).
Nonetheless, I live in hope. This, and the Merc A class at the time, were each revolutionary in their own ways.
25% bigger and twice the weight is my guess.
Besides, I thought it was known this is a reskin of the soon to be launched ID Polo.
A shame as the original was inventive and engineering led. I doubt this new release will be a stinker but I doubt it will be particularly innovative. Rather like the recent Audi A1 ICE models relative to their Polo/Fabia/Ibiza stablemates.
Welcome all the same, I guess.
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