No Love For Hatchbacks?
Hatchbacks are pretty much the norm in Europe, but they don’t get much love in the U.S. That’s a shame, since these space-efficient cars can do far more than their dimensions suggest. There are fewer than ten hatchback models available in the U.S. market, none of which are subcompact. Ironically, only one European marque sells hatchbacks stateside: Volkswagen, with the Golf GTI and Golf R.
The subcompact crossover has taken over the small hatch role in the U.S., and more people would rather buy something with extra ground clearance for various reasons. That brings us neatly to Audi, a brand that hasn’t sold a hatch in meaningful numbers in North America for over a decade. The A3 sedan was made for a reason, and even then, the Q3 is the modern-day alternative in America.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
The Clever Hatch America Can’t Get
The Audi A2 was a clever and innovative hatchback that first came out over 20 years ago. Unfortunately, it was too clever for its own good, and it cost too much for its size. It never made it to the U.S. and was eventually succeeded by the more conventional A1, which also wasn’t sold across the Atlantic.
Now, the A2 is back as the A2 e-Tron, and it’s proudly on display at the Paris Motor Show. We’ve covered its specs before, and the car stays true to the original: electric power and all. As a car that aims to showcase Audi’s innovations in a smaller package, it does the name justice.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Is it Really that Small?
It depends on how one defines small, of course. In terms of dimensions, it’s 170.1 inches long, 70.4 inches wide, 61 inches tall, and rides on a 109.1-inch wheelbase. For reference, it’s comparable to a Volkswagen Golf, which measures 168.9 inches long, 70.4 inches wide, 57.7 inches tall, and has a 103.6-inch wheelbase.
Yes, it’s a compact hatch, but not as small as, say, a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris. Its styling makes it look more pint-sized than the numbers suggest, thanks to its short hood and generous greenhouse. The Kammback tail, a nod to the original A2, further emphasizes its compact look, and so do the large wheels.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Impressive Packaging
Audi wanted to maximize interior volume in a compact package, and the MEB platform helped a lot. You can see the low, flat floor, while the stretched wheelbase ensures little to no wheel-arch intrusion. But don’t assume this is merely a repurposed ID. 3 Neo, the A2 e-Tron has unique touches that set it apart from its Volkswagen counterpart.
The dash is pushed as far back as possible, leaving room for a small parcel shelf on the passenger side. We’re relieved to see buttons inside, and fingers crossed, we hope to see it on more Audi products soon. Audi also applied pretty neat solutions throughout the rest of the cabin. It has something called a Fidlock system, which lets you rearrange the cupholders and other accessories.
If you’re curious about practicality, Audi says there’s about 14 cu-ft of cargo space in typically conservative VDA measurements, and up to 47.2 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down. The frunk isn’t the biggest, but it should still come in handy with 0.5 cu-ft.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
The Specs
You can choose from three battery sizes and four motor tunes. And while this is an Audi, a Quattro all-wheel-drive version isn’t available, possibly for now. Instead, it sends power to the rear wheels, so it could still be fun to drive.
Battery options include 50 kWh, 58 kWh, and 79 kWh. The 50 kWh version puts out 168 hp, while the 58 kWh produces 187 hp. The 79 kWh batteries have two outputs: 228 hp and 322 hp.
It’s unlikely to ever reach the U.S., though it has strong potential in the European market. Prices start at about $44,000 in its home market, which isn’t too bad considering car prices there are much higher than in the U.S.
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Â
