Audi Debuts A2 E-tron Compact Crossover
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The German automaker is targeting efficiency and affordability with a new European-market EV featuring a 0.24 drag coefficient.
Audi has unveiled the A2 E-tron, a compact crossover designed as the automaker's most affordable and efficient electric vehicle to date. According to reporting from The Verge, the rear-wheel drive vehicle starts at £32,200 (approximately $45,000) and is currently slated only for the European market.
On the hardware front, Audi is prioritizing aerodynamics to drive efficiency. The Verge reports the A2 E-tron achieves a drag coefficient of 0.24—a first for the company—aided by a fully enclosed underbody, gap reducers around wheel arches, flush door handles, and specialized air intakes. These optimizations, combined with various drivetrain and battery configurations, allow the vehicle to achieve a range of up to 401 miles (645 km) on the European WLTP cycle, with energy consumption as low as 12.8 kWh per 62 miles.
Other technical debuts include bidirectional charging capabilities, supporting vehicle-to-home via compatible DC wall boxes and vehicle-to-load via a trunk outlet. Inside, the cabin features a curved MMI panoramic display consisting of a 12.8-inch center touch screen and an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster. The vehicle also introduces a Fidlock magnetic fastening system for interior storage, marking the first time the technology has been used in a production car, per The Verge.