Hands down one of the quirkiest Audi models of the modern era, the aluminum-bodied A2 was a short-lived mashup between a hatchback and a minivan. It was one of the most economical cars in its class thanks to a curb weight of 895 kilograms (1,973 pounds) for the base model before options. The peculiar styling was a turnoff, though, so sales never lived up to Ingosltadt’s expectation, which ultimately decided to phase out the car in 2005 after only six years on the market.
Guess what? The spirit of the A2 could return, according to an Audi official. In an interview with British magazine Autocar, head honcho Markus Duesmann admitted the A1 supermini’s future is in doubt and that it could be replaced by an A2-like car. When asked about the nameplate’s return, Audi’s boss said: Maybe not exactly with that design, but I like the A2. Certainly we discuss the A2 segment as well. So it might be an A2 or an ‘E2’, or an A3 or an ‘E3’. We’re at the moment discussing that.”
Perhaps Audi has already hinted at the revival of an A2-esque model with the AI:ME pictured here. Revealed in 2019, the concept proposed the idea of an electric city car, which would fit the description made by Duesmann. Autocar has the same opinion, saying Audi “is understood to be working on an electric successor to the 1999 A2 supermini, based on the AI:ME concept shown two years ago.”
The disclosure was made by Duesmann this week while speaking to journalists ahead of the 2022 E-Tron GT’s debut yesterday. He also admitted there might not be a place in the lineup for the A1 in the future because the VW Group already has great success in the subcompact hatchback segment with the VW Polo, SEAT Ibiza, and Skoda Fabia.
In addition, Audi is looking to cut back on the number of cars powered by combustion engines to reduce a potential overlap with the new EVs the Four Rings will be launching this decade.
Source: Autocar
