Audi has unveiled its most energy-efficient production car to date, the all-new A2 e-tron, at the 2026 Paris International Motor Show. This compact electric vehicle, which had its global premiere on September 7th, marks a significant step for Audi in sustainable mobility.
Efficiency and Range Redefined
The A2 e-tron boasts an impressive WLTP-certified energy consumption of just 12.8 kWh per 100 kilometers, setting a new benchmark for the brand. This remarkable efficiency allows it to achieve a maximum range of up to 646 kilometers on a single charge. For context, this figure is very close to the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive’s consumption of 12.2 kWh/100km. Audi also confirmed that the vehicle achieves a low drag coefficient, starting from 0.24.
Battery and Charging Options
Underpinning the A2 e-tron is a 400V electrical architecture that offers customers three distinct battery options. These batteries have total capacities of 52 kWh, 61 kWh, and 84 kWh, with usable capacities of approximately 50 kWh, 58 kWh, and 79 kWh, respectively. The smaller 50 kWh and 58 kWh variants utilize Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cells, while the larger 79 kWh version incorporates Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) ternary cells.
Charging speeds vary across the battery configurations. The 84 kWh battery supports DC fast charging up to 183 kW, capable of charging from 10% to 80% in about 29 minutes. The 52 kWh battery can handle a maximum charging power of 100 kW, reaching 80% in approximately 24 minutes, while the 61 kWh battery supports up to 105 kW, taking around 25 minutes for the same charge level. Furthermore, the A2 e-tron supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality for external power delivery and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Performance and Drivetrain
The A2 e-tron is equipped with a rear-wheel-drive, rear-mounted single-motor setup, available in four power outputs: 125 kW, 140 kW, 170 kW, and 240 kW. Torque figures stand at 350 N·m for the lower three variants, while the top-tier 240 kW model delivers a peak torque of 545 N·m. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h ranges from 8.8 seconds for the 125 kW version to a swift 5.7 seconds for the 240 kW model.
Design and Practicality
Audi has paid homage to the original A2, which debuted in 1999, with the design language of the new A2 e-tron. While longer and wider than its predecessor, measuring 4.32 meters in length and an additional 12 centimeters in width, it retains a compact footprint with a height of approximately 1.55 meters. The wheelbase has been extended to 2.77 meters, emphasizing interior space utilization. The luggage compartment offers a base volume of 396 liters, expandable to 1,336 liters when the rear seats are folded down.
Interior and Production Efficiency
Inside, the cabin features a standard 11.9-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen. The gear selector has been moved to the steering column, freeing up significant space in the center console for additional storage. Production of the A2 e-tron takes place at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt. Notably, the company has leveraged over 1,200 existing production facilities and approximately 250 existing robots. Audi states this strategy allowed the A2 e-tron to reach production readiness 21 months faster than comparable models in the past.
Market Availability
Ordering for the A2 e-tron opened in Germany on September 10th, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Europe in December. The German market starting price is set at 38,200 Euros.
