Audi has confirmed that the A2 badge will return in 2026 on a new all-electric compact model, the A2 e-tron, marking a deliberate nod to one of the marque’s most unconventional modern designs.
Set to be unveiled in the autumn and built in Ingolstadt, the A2 e-tron will sit at the entry point of Audi’s electric range. The model is intended to broaden access to the brand’s EV line-up, with an emphasis on efficiency and urban usability. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner described it as ‘efficient, compact, and confident’, positioning it as a key step in the company’s transition towards an increasingly electric portfolio.
First introduced in 1999, the original Audi A2 was a notably ambitious project, conceived as a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient compact car built around an aluminium spaceframe – a costly and complex solution generally reserved for high-end models. The A2 was engineered with a focus on weight reduction and fuel efficiency, and positioned as a premium supermini.
Its distinctive profile was shaped by aerodynamics, resulting in a drag coefficient as low as 0.25 in its most efficient form. Combined with small-capacity petrol and diesel engines, the A2 was capable of remarkable fuel economy figures for its era.
Yet despite its technical innovation, the A2 struggled commercially. Its advanced construction methods made it expensive to build, and its unconventional styling divided opinion. Production ended in 2005 after around 176,000 examples. In the years since, however, the A2 has built up a very loyal following, particularly among enthusiasts who value its originality and durability. Survivors are often well-used but well-maintained.
Full technical details of the reborn A2 e-tron are expected to be confirmed later this year.
