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A new small Audi EV emerges — likely called A2 e-tron
Spy shots of a fresh Audi prototype suggest the brand’s next entry-level electric could arrive as soon as 2026. Positioned to replace both the A1 city hatch and the Q2 compact crossover, the car — widely believed to be the A2 e-tron (and occasionally rumored as the Q2 e-tron) — was recently photographed testing in a camouflage scheme that borrows heavily from Volkswagen’s ID.3.
The test mule clearly shares proportions and glasshouse cues with the ID.3 hatch, but Audi styling touches are visible: a Q4 e-tron‑style grille sticker, split headlights, wheel sensors and a BRAKE TEST decal on the rear hatch. Spy images credited to Baldauf show the prototype’s teardrop silhouette, a hint that Audi is leaning on the iconic A2 design language to define a modern compact BEV for urban and suburban buyers.
Production plans and market positioning
Audi’s leadership has already confirmed the strategy: the A1 and Q2 will be discontinued in 2026 and Ingolstadt will handle production of the incoming small electric. That puts Audi into Europe’s competitive lower A-segment BEV market with a familiar Volkswagen Group architecture — the rear-biased MEB platform — while offering Audi-specific interior and exterior treatment to justify premium badging.
What matters for buyers is whether this compact EV will balance price, range and charging capability against rivals from Hyundai, Kia and others that already offer advanced 800‑volt systems.
Underpinnings, brakes and what the spy shots reveal
One of the clearest giveaways on the prototype is the rear drum brakes — a common feature on MEB-based EVs tuned for cost-effective mass market use. The front end uses a sticker in place of a functional grille, likely to disguise true sensors and air intakes. Details from the mule include:
- ID.3-style front quarter windows and body proportions
- Side cladding reminiscent of the Q4 e-tron crossover
- Split headlight arrangement and wheel-mounted sensors
- A compact, aerodynamic rear that echoes the original A2 teardrop silhouette
These visual cues support reports that Audi intends to position the model as a practical five-door hatch — or a slightly lifted, crossover-like variant — enabling it to replace two ICE models while appealing to different buyers under one architecture.
Performance and battery expectations
Because the prototype appears to be closely related to the Volkswagen ID.3, plausible powertrain specs are already circulating. Sources suggest a rear-mounted motor producing up to roughly 240 kW (about 322 hp) and 545 Nm (402 lb-ft) of torque could be offered in hotter versions. A realistic mainstream configuration might use a 79 kWh lithium-ion pack capable of peak charging around 185 kW.
Range will be critical. The Volkswagen Group’s current MEB architecture operates on a 400‑volt electrical system, which lags behind some competitors offering 800‑volt tech in the C-segment. That said, optimized packaging and efficient aerodynamics could still deliver competitive WLTP or EPA ranges for city-focused buyers.
Looking back: Audi’s A2 history and why this matters
Audi once showed an electric A2 concept more than a decade ago; that 2011 study promised around 114 hp and roughly 270 Nm with a limited range near 200 km (124 miles) — figures that ultimately made production unviable at that time. The modern A2 e-tron would benefit from far better battery energy density, thermal management and charging speeds, making it a much more convincing proposition.
Highlights:
- Expected production start: 2026 at Ingolstadt
- Platform: Volkswagen Group MEB (rear-biased)
- Possible battery: ~79 kWh with ~185 kW DC charging
- Possible peak power: ~240 kW in performance variant
"If Audi can deliver a sincere compact EV with strong build quality and a sensible price, the A2 e-tron could become the brand’s gateway model for urban buyers," says one industry analyst.
Whether Audi calls it A2 e-tron or Q2 e-tron, the newcomer aims to consolidate Audi’s entry-level range into a single electric product — practical, stylish and more in tune with today’s EV expectations than the early A2 attempt. Expect more refined prototypes and clearer specs to appear through 2025 and into the 2026 production year.
Source: autoevolution
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