Skip advert
Advertisement

New Audi Q2 e-tron: popular small SUV is set to go electric

The combustion-powered Q2 is on its way out, so here’s everything you need to know about its fully electric replacement

The Audi Q2 has been a strong seller since the first model arrived in 2016, but regardless of its success over two generations, the curtain will soon fall on this premium, combustion-powered small SUV. However, as the brand takes another step towards electrification, a new entry-level electric SUV – which is likely to be called the Audi Q2 e-tron – is set to take the outgoing car’s place.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Slotting in below the Q4 e-tron, the incoming model will target a starting price of £35,000, placing it squarely in the sights of existing rivals such as the Volvo EX30 and Alfa Romeo Junior. It also means a future for small Audis is back on the cards, after the firm announced that the production of the petrol-powered A1 and Q2 would end this year.

Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner told us: “We won’t step out of these segments; we will end production of the A1 and Q2, and there will be no successor to the A1, but we will see a car that will enter production next year that is our entry BEV model,” confirming plans for the new baby electric SUV. 

When will the Audi Q2 e-tron arrive?

We expect the new Q2 e-tron to be revealed in the second half of 2026 with sales starting in early 2027. If this is the case, the model will arrive too soon to take advantage of Volkswagen Group’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Instead, Audi will use the same MEB (Modular Electric Drive) underpinnings as a broad range of current EVs across the Volkswagen, Cupra and Skoda brands, most recently deployed on the Czech firm’s Elroq SUV. This is also the base for Audi’s larger Q4 e-tron, and is used by Ford on the Capri and Explorer, too. 

New Audi Q2 e-tron design

Although insiders say the firm’s new design boss Massimo Frascella has joined early enough to influence the upcoming car’s looks, following his switch from Jaguar Land Rover last year, the Q2 e-tron is likely to stick closely to the recognisable Audi family face, as you can see from our exclusive image that previews how it could look. Frascella’s first big statement about Audi’s design future will be revealed in September with a concept set to hint at a new TT

Advertisement - Article continues below

The new Q2 e-tron is likely to be around 100mm shorter and a little bit lower than its Q4 e-tron SUV sibling. Boot space will also be down on the bigger car’s 520-litre maximum capacity. 

New Audi Q2 e-tron battery and range

Reflecting the Q4 e-tron’s powertrain line-up, the entry cars are likely to get a 201bhp motor and smaller 63kWh battery, although the newest addition to the line-up is likely to launch with a 282bhp motor and a larger 82kWh battery, which should see it offer an official range figure in excess of 350 miles. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The Q2 e-tron is also set to come with quattro four-wheel drive and a higher level of tech than its family peers.

Will Audi launch any other new small cars?

Speaking to Auto Express, new Audi UK boss Jose Miguel Aparicio was enthusiastic about the prospect of a smaller EV. “If I had one request, especially for the UK market, I think we need an EV below the Q4 e-tron,” he said. “That is something that would complement our product range, and would be on my letter to Santa.”

Audi is trying to shift its brand upmarket, and chase profit and quality of business over outright quantity, which has led to the demise of the A1 and Q2 models. Although they ranked consistently among the brand’s top four sellers in the UK, smaller cars don’t sell well in the USA or China, two major Audi markets. Globally, the Q7 outsells the A1, and Audi makes significantly more money per vehicle on the large SUV

But that means Europe will have a key role to play in ensuring the new smaller model’s success, especially because the UK outranks Audi’s home market in Germany when it comes to the brand’s electric vehicle sales. 

The all-new SSP architecture currently under development is likely to underpin the next EV in Audi’s plans, with an A3-sized electric car said to be under development. SSP will also be the base for the replacement for the Volkswagen ID.3, tentatively called ID.Golf, as well as Skoda’s planned entry into the family car market with an Octavia-sized EV. But those cars are still at least a couple of years away.

Latest Audi Q2 deals

Tell us which new car you’re interested in and get the very best offers from our network of over 5,500 UK dealers to compare. Let’s go…

Skip advert
Advertisement

Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Prepare to be ruthless when buying a new car
Opinion - ruthless car buying

Prepare to be ruthless when buying a new car

Shane Wilkinson explains why you mustn’t be afraid to say no to a salesperson when buying your next new or used car
Opinion
19 Jun 2025
Buying the right car can work wonders for your mental health
Opinion - mental wellbeing

Buying the right car can work wonders for your mental health

Paul Adam explains the role the car can play in helping to give you the ‘me time’ to maintain your wellbeing
Opinion
13 Jun 2025
Hot new car products: the latest and greatest kit for your car
Osram Night Breaker 220

Hot new car products: the latest and greatest kit for your car

The latest additions to the world of automotive products from floor mats to dash cams...
Product reviews
12 Jun 2025
The car is still king! Ridiculous train fares make them look like absolute bargains
Opinion - train fares

The car is still king! Ridiculous train fares make them look like absolute bargains

In light of an apparent ‘new dawn for our railways', Mike Rutherford isn’t feeling too optimistic about this particular mode of transport
Opinion
8 Jun 2025

Most Popular

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK
Toyota GR Corolla - front cornering

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is on the way to the UK

The success of the GR Yaris has persuaded Toyota that there’s room in its UK range for the high performance Corolla
News
19 Jun 2025
New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars
Render of the Audi A3 e-tron - front static

New Audi A3 e-tron proves the brand isn’t turning its back on smaller cars

Audi has confirmed it’s bringing a posh all-electric take on the MEB platform to market, and in good time
News
18 Jun 2025
Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028
Nissan Leaf - front cornering

Groundbreaking Nissan solid-state EV batteries due on sale by 2028

The industry is in a race to bring solid-state to the market, and Nissan isn’t too far behind the leaders
News
17 Jun 2025