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By Jonathan Crouch

Audi redefines its A2 model for the new EV era. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 40

Audi draws on it's past to deliver a small premium EV hatch very much of the future, this A2 e-tron. The retro cues may be only skin deep but the technology promised by the avant garde looks is very real.

Backgroundword count: 204

If you've been waiting for a small electric Audi for some time, you might expect it to be cutting-edge and futuristic. What you might not expect is for it in name and look to draw heavily on a cult classic Ingolstadt model from the turn of the century. But that's what we got in the shape of the Audi A2 e-tron. The original A2 of 1999 isn't a model the brand references very much because it sold for just five years and was a financial failure. But its aluminium space frame and radical aerodynamics broke new boundaries for its time and the fact that there's never been another small hatch like it since has seen that A2 remembered fondly. The A2 e-tron is styled exactly as a second generation version of its predecessor might look, but in truth it's a very different kind of product. Under the skin, it can't be as cutting-edge because this time round Audi's got to make money on it. So all the engineering is borrowed from a Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, while inside, much is lifted from other Ingolstadt models. Yet there's still just enough about the car to make it feel deliciously different - as we're going to see.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 317

In one sense, you might think that the drivetrain technology of this Audi is the least progressive thing about it because there's nothing here we haven't seen before. But just because all the engineering you can't see is borrowed from a Volkswagen ID.3 Neo (and other similar VW Group CUPRA, Skoda and Audi models) doesn't mean it isn't reasonably cutting-edge. It's all built into the Group's usual rear-driven MEB platform for electric models of this size. And there's a choice of four drivetrains paired with permanent magnet synchronous motors. Most customers will be focusing on frugality and choosing between a couple of LFP batteries mated to the VW Group's latest APP350 rear motor. Either a 52kWh pack with 170PS, where there's 350Nm of torque, 0-62mph takes 8.8s and there's 262 miles of EV range. Or, alternatively, there's a 61kWh pack with a 190PS motor which doesn't go much faster but gives you up to 320 miles of range. If driving range is your priority and there's more in the budget, then your Audi Centre is going to want you to consider the biggest battery, which instead of lithium-iron-phosphate uses nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) chemistry. It's 84kWh in size, works with a 231PS motor and delivers up to 401 miles of range. It's also possible to get this big battery paired with the upgraded AP550 motor from the Volkswagen ID.Polo GTI. This develops quite a potent 326PS and with 345Nm of torque, propels this top A2 e-tron to 62mph in just 5.7s. Range is rated at 391 miles. As with the identically-engineered Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, across the line-up there are three different brake regen settings, as well as an auto regen function. Customers can choose between comfort or sports suspension set-ups. And adaptive dampers are available as an option. The rear wheel drive format delivers a tight urban turning circle. And expect that slippery shape to deliver exemplary cruising refinement.

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