Photo: Instagram | lars_o_saeltzer
The last time we heard anything about the A2 officially was when Audi pulled the plug on it in 2005 after a six-year production run. It was a minivan of subcompact proportions with a premium feel, which failed to sell in great numbers.
Its failure was duly noted by the four-ring brand, which hasn't tried to make a similar ride after it. As a result, there is no direct successor to the Audi A2, which has Luc Donckerwolke to thank for its quirky looks. The famous automotive designer has left his mark on the Lamborghini Diablo, Murcielago, Gallard, Bentley Flying Spur, a few SEATs, the first Skoda Fabia, and a multitude of Hyundai and Genesis vehicles.
On the outside, the Audi A2 may remind of the original TT, though it shares nothing with it. For its construction, the German company uses the A04 platform, which was the foundation stone of the VW Polo Mk4, SEAT Ibiza Mk3, Skoda Fabia Mk1, and the Fox, among others. It was offered with gasoline and diesel powertrains connected to a manual or an automated manual transmission, and all versions were front-wheel drive.
Now, while the slow sales in the people carrier segment have forced certain players to withdraw from it altogether, it has also fueled others to give it a shot, like Lexus with its stunning LM. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class lives on for the time being, and BMW's second-gen 2 Series Active Tourer is two years old. This has gotten us wondering if there is room in Audi's current portfolio for a brand-new A2, maybe of compact proportions this time to rival the B-Class and 2 Series Active Tourer.
As it happens, we're not the only ones with this question on our mind, as lars_o_saeltzer took to Instagram recently to share a rendering that imagines it. It was the TT that served as inspiration for the design, and this unofficial take on trying to resurrect the A2 features new front and rear ends and a sloping roofline that eats into the virtual cargo space. It rides on much bigger alloys and is an interesting proposal, in our opinion, that may just attract some buyers who are sick and tired of the crossover trend.
One way to make it feasible would be to use the VW Group's MEB platform that underpins a wide variety of electric vehicles, including the Q4 e-tron and the Q5 e-tron. Add the mandatory e-tron suffix to highlight its zero-emission nature and fit it with the latest tech and safety gear, and it would be a breath of fresh air in the EV game.
So, do you think Audi should risk it and come up with a new A2 when they're doing just fine with their current lineup and the multitude of upcoming EVs? We don't, but deep inside, we wish they did.
On the outside, the Audi A2 may remind of the original TT, though it shares nothing with it. For its construction, the German company uses the A04 platform, which was the foundation stone of the VW Polo Mk4, SEAT Ibiza Mk3, Skoda Fabia Mk1, and the Fox, among others. It was offered with gasoline and diesel powertrains connected to a manual or an automated manual transmission, and all versions were front-wheel drive.
Now, while the slow sales in the people carrier segment have forced certain players to withdraw from it altogether, it has also fueled others to give it a shot, like Lexus with its stunning LM. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class lives on for the time being, and BMW's second-gen 2 Series Active Tourer is two years old. This has gotten us wondering if there is room in Audi's current portfolio for a brand-new A2, maybe of compact proportions this time to rival the B-Class and 2 Series Active Tourer.
As it happens, we're not the only ones with this question on our mind, as lars_o_saeltzer took to Instagram recently to share a rendering that imagines it. It was the TT that served as inspiration for the design, and this unofficial take on trying to resurrect the A2 features new front and rear ends and a sloping roofline that eats into the virtual cargo space. It rides on much bigger alloys and is an interesting proposal, in our opinion, that may just attract some buyers who are sick and tired of the crossover trend.
One way to make it feasible would be to use the VW Group's MEB platform that underpins a wide variety of electric vehicles, including the Q4 e-tron and the Q5 e-tron. Add the mandatory e-tron suffix to highlight its zero-emission nature and fit it with the latest tech and safety gear, and it would be a breath of fresh air in the EV game.
So, do you think Audi should risk it and come up with a new A2 when they're doing just fine with their current lineup and the multitude of upcoming EVs? We don't, but deep inside, we wish they did.
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