Audi A2 Promises to be an Efficiency King just like its Predecessor
As I mentioned in a previous article, Audi pioneered the economical, urban family car over 25 years ago when it launched the now, much coveted, Audi A2. It was a crossover between a traditional hatchback and 5-seat MPV, offering plenty of interior space on a small footprint, but tuned for high efficiency.
And it seems that Audi hasn’t forgotten what made the A2 such a succes 2.5 decades ago, because not only has Audi released new (slightly disguised) images of their A2 e-tron - which is very much a modern day interpretation of its predecessor - but they have released a few details, too, including a revelation that this will be Audi’s most efficient car ever.
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, is very confident of their new car too, as he states “The Audi A2 has been a constant in my career ever since I joined the Volkswagen Group in the 1990s. Even then, its groundbreaking three-litre version made efficiency its hallmark. This is precisely the vision we are carrying forward with the new A2 e-tron: outstanding efficiency, excellent everyday usability, and a clear understanding of what customers expect from modern electric mobility.”
The Key takeaway metrics from the Audi A2 e-tron 140 kW (190 bhp) with the efficiency package are:
Energy consumption of 4.85 mi/kWh (preliminary) based on WLTP measurements
Drag coefficient of 0.24 — the best in Audi’s compact lineup
Highly efficient electric drive with advancements in power electronics, the electric motor, and transmission
A 61kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery achieves 89.6 percent charging efficiency at the wallbox with an adapted cooling strategy
Bidirectional charging: Vehicle-to-Load and Vehicle-to-Home
Given it’s slightly tall, bulky shape - just like the original - the new A2 has had some considerable wind tunnel work to refine its shape enabling it to slip through the air like a swift. Audi says its “Aerodynamic measures reduce WLTP energy consumption by up to 0.9 kWh/100 km” and it states that “at speeds of 62mph and above, drag accounts for more than 50 percent of a vehicle’s total energy demand.”
Understanding this Audi worked hard to reduce every drag point on the car fettling it down to just 0.24 Cd.
How it got to achieve great efficiency and aerodynamics came from a lot of combined research and development, starting with that streamlined design.
The A2 e-tron has a rounded front end, and a roofline that swoops downward towards the rear giving the A2 a near tear-drop shape, which reduces drag. There are also real air channels on the front bumper to direct airflow that suppresses turbulence and smooths the air over the wheel arches.
An active cool-air intake stays closed during normal driving conditions, and at higher speeds, as this reduces drag and increases range. Put it on charge, or accelerates hard, or - as we’ve seen in recent months - with summer heat, the active air intake opens to help cool the battery and electronics.
The upgraded drive system is said to be 10 percent more efficient, too. Using a permanently synchronous electric motor, tuned specifically for the A2 e-tron, is said to deliver efficient performance.
And no stone is left unturned in the quest for better efficiency. The power electronics now use silicon carbide semiconductors that significantly reduces switching losses by up to 20 watts or 33 % compared with previous methods.
The electric motor has thinner laminations (0.2 instead of 0.3 millimetres) reducing some losses, and the stator winding switches have received changed to ensure efficient motor speed ranges.
Even the transmission has new low-friction oil that noticeably reduces friction losses.
All of this effort combined has resulted in that preliminary WLTP efficiency of 4.85 mi/kWh - and with the 61 kWh battery pack - it suggests a near 300 mile range. It’s worth noting that all that range is available from each AC charge, thanks to those LFP cells which prefer a regular 100% charge provided the car is in frequent use.
To put that into some context, that’s £4.88 to cover up to 300 miles if charging from home via a time-of-use tariff at 8p per kWh.
Whilst this is not a full reveal, and more of a teaser, Audi will fully unveil the new A2 e-tron this autumn where all details, pricing, specs and pictures will be revealed.
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.
You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb
