2012 Audi A2 Rendered, Electric Drive The Top Priority: Report

FILLING THE GAP between the A3 and the upcoming A1, speculation has again turned to reports that that Audi is developing a next-generation A2. 

Leaving out any suggestion of a 'maybe', Britain's Autocar magazine claims the A2 will return to the market in 2012.

The new superlight will reportedly be built on a version of the less-expensive monocoque steel frame used by the new A1, rather than the aluminium spaceframe that other Audi models are built on.

A new A2 would not be the first of its kind for Audi, with the original A2 - an expensive all-aluminium supermini - sold in Europe from 2000 to 2005.

The "3L" version of the previous generation A2, powered by a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and fitted with narrow tyres and a start-stop system, achieved an average fuel consumption of less than 3.0 l/100km.

Our new renderings (top of article and below) borrow styling cues from across the Audi range to offer some idea of how the A2 might appear in production form.

Audi boss Ruper Stadler has reportedly said that electric drive will be a priority for the A2, drawing on the company's experience with its range of e-tron concepts.

Audi revealed an all-electric e-tron version of its new A1 hatch at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, powered by an electric motor producing 45kW and offering a driving range of around 50km in city traffic.

The A1 e-tron's electric motor draws power from a lithium ion battery pack with a capacity of 12kWh, but unlike the 455kg pack in the original, more powerful e-tron concept, this pack weighs in at just 150kg.

When the electric motor's battery energy is depleted, a 70kg range-extending single-rotor 254cc Wankel engine and an electric generator work to recharge the battery, boosting the A1 e-tron's driving range by an additional 200km.