Audi tests A2 E-Tron ahead of autumn premiere

The A2 E-Ton marks the expansion of Audi’s electric portfolio into the compact segment. The German carmaker describes it as a fully electric entry into the premium compact class, designed to make ‘premium electric mobility’ more accessible. Audi officially confirmed the model during its annual press conference in March, also announcing that the new series would be produced at its home plant in Ingolstadt.Ahead of its premiere, the camouflaged A2 E-Tron is undergoing extensive testing. These tests include cold-weather trials in Lapland, where Audi is evaluating the prototype on snow-covered roads, icy handling courses, and even a frozen lake. According to the manufacturer, the focus is not only on driving dynamics but also on thermal management and battery performance. The interaction between the electric drivetrain, brake control system, and chassis is also being fine-tuned.Meanwhile, the car’s aerodynamics are being tested and optimised in Audi’s Technical Development wind tunnel in Germany. The roofline of the A2 E-Tron is a particular focus. With wind speeds of up to 300 km/h, high-precision aeroacoustic measurements, and a 235 km/h rolling road, the wind tunnel provides ideal conditions for improving the vehicle’s airflow, noise levels, and thermal stability.Audi is testing the vehicle on routes around the German Altmühltal region, which features inclines, varying road surfaces, and tight corners. Here, the focus is primarily on evaluating the chassis and driver assistance systems under everyday conditions.Beyond the tests and the confirmation that the A2 E-Tron will be fully electric, Audi has not yet revealed further details about the drivetrain. However, with its world premiere scheduled for this autumn, it is unlikely that the new electric Audi will be based on any platform other than the MEB electric toolkit, as speculated back in 2024. The SSP platform is not yet ready, and the PPE (on which the Q6 E-Tron is being built in Ingolstadt) is designed for larger premium models. As such, the facelift of the Cupra Born and the VW ID.3 Neo could provide a strong indication of what the Audi A2 E-Tron will offer.audi-mediacenter.com