2012-13 Audi A2 will be cheaper and come with electric powertrain as well

The 2013 A2 will be less expensive than the predecessor and will be powered by a 1.1L or 1.2L, 3-cylinder engine donated by VW. The car, which is essentially a compact MPV, will be 3.7 meters long and will offer a luggage capacity between 200 and 1,000 liters.

Another artist impression of the 2013 Audi A2

The company also has plans to make an A2 e-tron (‘electric’ for those who don’t like marketing jargons) version of the 2013 A2 which will be powered by lithium ion batteries and will have a range of up to 100 km/h.

Source – Zer Customs

As we reported earlier, the 2012 Audi A2 would come with an electric drivetrain. The second-generation Audi A2, scheduled for 2012 launch, will be cheaper thanks to the monocoque steel frame chosen over the more expensive spaceframe construction. The platform of the new A2 will be the same as the Audi A1.

The styling of the 2012 A2 will look similar to its predecessor with a tall boy design & a narrow track.

We expect the new A2 to be priced in 2012 Mercedes Benz B-Class range, which also relies on the smaller A Class platform. The engine will be mounted in the front and drive will go to the front wheels. Engines are likely to come from the A1, the four pot petrols and diesels are the likely choices.

Rumors have it that BMW is also firming up plans to launch a competitor to the Audi A2 in the form of the BMW Megacity model.

Image Source – Theophilus Chin

Update (27th May 2010) – Autocar UK is reporting that the next gen A2 (pictured) will come with electric powertrain only. It will be pitted against the 2013 BMW Megacity car, which we assume is similar in nature.

From a media report filed years ago, we inferred that the Audi A2 will make a comeback in 2014. However Autocar’s latest report suggests the revival is only two years away.

The second-generation Audi A2 will be cheaper thanks to the monocoque steel frame chosen over the more expensive spaceframe construction. The platform of the new A2 will be the same as the Audi A1. The premium compact MPV will be narrow and Audi’s new design language will be applied on the one-box car.

Autozeitung’s rendering (above) hints at a slightly more stylish and sporty car. Notice the hexagonal grille and more conventional alloy wheels. If Audi wants to make a fuel-sipping MPV, it won’t be this sporty.

We expect the new A2 to be priced in Mercedes B-Class range, which also relies on the smaller A-Class platform. The engine will be mounted in the front and drive will go to the front wheels. Engines are likely to come from the A1, the four pot petrols and diesels are the likely choices.

The biggest development is the addition of an electric drivetrain for the developed markets. A re-jigged version of the A1′s e-tron powertrain might supply the driving force.

The first generation Audi A2 1.2 TDI (1999-2005, pictured) had the least drag coefficient of any car in the world at the time of its launch. It was also the lowest polluting, only emitting 89g/km of CO2 emissions. It had a fuel consumption figure of 3L/100km which was achieved by start-stop technology and the subtraction of power steering and climate control. The tires, seats and glass were thinner and fuel tank could hold only 20 liters.

We hope the 2012 Audi A2 will have creature comforts to make life easy for its passengers, and the thicker glass and tires help in improving safety ratings. The internal combustion engine has come a long way in the last decade and even with the addition of certain accessories, the car can deliver a more than acceptable fuel economy score. The electric powertrain should be the right choice for the buyer who prefers fuel economy to comfort.

Information from Autocar. Image from Autozeitung