Audi A2 Concept first sketches

By Sam Hardy

02nd September 2011

One of the most innovative Audis in history is being reborn at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. These are the first official sketches of the new A2 – a groundbreaking all-electric small car set to rival the BMW i3.

This concept gives the clearest idea yet of how a replacement for the original A2 will look. As you can see, it's a clever blend of the original A2 and the A1. Nods to the past include a classic A2-style curved roofline and extended arches. Plus, a pronounced wheel-at-each-corner stance, with minimal overhangs front and rear, gives a big clue to the impressive space offered inside.

The A2 is slightly shorter and taller than the A1, and about as wide – it measures 3.8 metres long by 1.7m wide and 1.5m high. As in the Volkswagen up!, a long wheelbase means plenty of room. The show car gets a luxurious four-seater layout with a flexible set-up that can swallow a full-sized  bicycle. Expect the production version to offer seating for five adults.

Audi has confirmed that the concept will feature an all-electric powertrain, but is holding back the precise details until it appears in Frankfurt. When it arrives in showrooms though, expect a wider range of engine options than before. Petrol units will range in output from 75bhp to 110bhp, and should include a three-cylinder unit from the up! as well as a VW Group-sourced four-cylinder. The diesel promises superb economy, while a BMW i3-rivalling plug-in hybrid will go 55 miles on electric power alone.

However, the cleverest model will be the all-electric A2. This should feature lithium-ion batteries and a 70kW electric motor, giving an incredible range of 155 miles – that’s at least 50 miles more than the Nissan Leaf. These potential figures will help the new car live up to the legend – as the original A2 was a pioneer in terms of efficiency. There was even a special 1.2-litre version, which featured stop-start and claimed 90mpg.

It showcases an array of new lighting technologies too, including the next phase in LED technology, known as matrix beam. A Clever assortment of LED bulbs and microreflectors create an intensely bright but non-glare beam of light. The tailights also adapt their brightness automatically to suit the conditions. Most radical of all though is the 'dynamic light' that runs along the entire side of the car, and produces pulses of light when the indicators are activated.

New and innovative materials are used in the interior, including polyurethane and a ribbed material made from recycled polyester covers the central floor area. The seat shells are made with a plastic blow molding technique, while aluminum highlights add a classic Audi premium feel to the cockpit. Important functions are controlled via a central touchscreen behind the steering wheel.

The newcomer is sure to cost more than the A1 when it arrives in 2013, but it promises stronger all-round appeal thanks to its amazing space, low running costs and wide choice of powertrains.