Audi is preparing to introduce a new entry-level electric vehicle, reviving the A2 nameplate for the first time in more than two decades. The upcoming A2 e-tron will serve as the brand’s most affordable EV and is expected to offer a new entry point into Audi’s premium electric lineup.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed the vehicle’s arrival on Tuesday, stating that the A2 e-tron will make its official debut this fall. According to Döllner, the new model will make “entry into the Audi world easier and more relevant than ever.”
The A2 originally debuted in 1999 as a compact and unconventional hatchback known for its distinctive shape and lightweight construction. Now, more than 25 years later, Audi is bringing the name back as part of its expanding electric vehicle portfolio. The A2 e-tron will sit below the Q4 e-tron in the company’s lineup and is expected to start at under $40,000 (£30,000), making it the most accessible EV Audi currently offers.
Döllner emphasized that the vehicle is designed to meet growing demand for practical electric mobility. “We’ve listened. Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life,” he said. “The A2 e-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that – efficient, compact, and confident.”
Audi believes the new model will help broaden access to premium electric vehicles while refreshing the brand’s lineup. Production of the A2 e-tron will take place at Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany, where it will be built alongside the Q6 e-tron.
Although Audi has not yet revealed the full design, the company has shared a teaser silhouette ahead of the vehicle’s world premiere later this year. The preview suggests the A2 e-tron will adopt a crossover-hatchback design rather than the original model’s well-known egg-shaped profile.
Additional clues about the design have surfaced through recent spy shots shared by Audi Club North America. These images indicate that the new model will maintain compact proportions while incorporating a more modern and slightly rugged crossover-inspired shape. Early interior glimpses suggest the cabin will feature Audi’s latest digital interface and minimalist design approach.
Reports suggest the A2 e-tron will ride on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, the same architecture used by the Volkswagen ID.3. If that proves accurate, the Audi model could share similar battery options with the ID.3.
The Volkswagen ID.3 currently offers battery packs of 58 kWh and 79 kWh, delivering WLTP driving ranges of approximately 265 miles (426 km) and 373 miles (600 km), respectively. Comparable specifications for the A2 e-tron would position it competitively within the growing compact EV segment.
Audi engineers have also indicated that the vehicle is intended to fill a space previously occupied by the BMW i3, a compact electric car that gained popularity for its distinctive design and urban-focused capabilities. BMW is also preparing to revive the i3 name in electric form, with early images of the upcoming model reportedly appearing ahead of its official unveiling.
The introduction of the A2 e-tron comes as Audi continues an aggressive product rollout strategy. The company says it has introduced more than 20 new models over the past two years, giving it one of the youngest product portfolios among major automotive brands.
With the addition of models such as the upcoming Q9 and the new A2 e-tron, Audi aims to strengthen its lineup across multiple segments. When it arrives in 2026, the A2 e-tron is expected to play a key role as the brand’s most affordable electric vehicle and a gateway into Audi’s broader EV ecosystem.
