Audi A2
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| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
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| Parent company | Volkswagen Group |
| Also called | Typ 8Z[1] |
| Production start | June 2000[1] |
| Production end | August 2005[1] |
| Assembly | Neckarsulm, Germany[1] |
| Successor | Audi A1 |
| Class | Compact MPV, supermini |
| Body style(s) | 5-door hatchback[1] |
| Layout | transverse front engine, front wheel drive[1] |
| Engine(s) | 1.4 L I4, 1.6 L I4 FSI, 1.2 L I3 TDI, 1.4 L I3 TDI |
| Transmission(s) | 5-speed GETRAG manual |
| Length | 3,826 mm (150.6 in) |
| Width | 1,890 mm (74.4 in) |
| Height | 1,553 mm (61.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 895 kg (1,973 lb) to 1,030 kg (2,271 lb) |
| Designer | Luc Donckerwolke |
The Audi A2 is a premium compact MPV styled five-door five-seat hatchback[1] designed supermini, produced by the German automaker Audi AG from June 2000 to 2005.[1] Based on the Audi Al2 concept car first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997,[2] the A2 (internally designated Typ 8Z) was notable for being constructed from aluminium. Due to increased fuel prices and carbon emission awareness during recent times, the A2 has become a popular choice of used vehicle.[citation needed]
Trim variants in Germany and mainland Europe included: 'Advance', 'Style', 'High Tech', 'S line'; whereas in the United Kingdom, they included: 'Standard', 'SE' (for 'Special Equipment'), 'Sport', 'Special Edition' (2005 only).
The last cars left Audis' Neckarsulm 'aluminium plant' in August 2005.[1]
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[edit] History
The A2 was considered[by whom?] to be "ahead of its time" in design terms—but the avant-garde styling did not win favour with some potential customers. Audi was reported to be disappointed with the level of sales; the final production is estimated to be 175,000 units. This is in comparison to rival Mercedes-Benz' A-Class sales of 1 million.
The A2 was produced at Audis' "aluminium" Neckarsulm plant in Germany.[1] It was the first five-door vehicle on sale in Europe whose average fuel consumption is less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres (94.2 mpg-imp; 78.4 mpg-US), although these figures only applied to a special "3L" version with a diesel engine and narrower tyres. Due to the construction, the average A2 weighs less than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb).
[edit] Design and construction
The A2 is built using considerable aluminium and aluminium alloy content, providing significant weight advantage over similar sized cars. This helps the car to be significantly more economical than vehicles using traditional steel monocoques; under certain circumstances, consumption of just over 2 litres per 100 kilometres (140 mpg-imp; 120 mpg-US) is possible. The Audi A2 won the Nordic Countries "EcoRun" economical driving race in 2005 with consumption of 2.62 L/100 km (107.8 mpg-imp; 89.8 mpg-US). Even the normal petrol engined versions are capable of 5 L/100 km (56.5 mpg-imp; 47.0 mpg-US). The A2 was also notable for being the first Audi model since the 1970s Audi 50 not to be offered with its' 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive option. The A2 has coefficient of drag: 0.25.
The A2 still uses a contemporary monocoque construction, albeit with some elements of space frame principles; and is tagged by Audi as an 'Audi Space Frame' design. The outer panels of the body have little or no structural function - similarities exist with the original Renault Espace; and the "space frame" bears the forces working on the car. Due to the decision to create "knots" instead of welding the space frame, improvements in shell stability, shell durability, lower weight, and better interior space are evident. Unfortunately, the cost of working with aluminium, particularly with small production runs, meant that the A2 was more expensive than its competitors. This may have contributed to the relatively slow sales in conjunction with the dearth of marketing from Audi.
Audi was the first manufacturer to try and incorporate lightweight building concepts using aluminium and associated alloys into a "mass market" vehicle; the previous efforts at using the Audi Space Frame were limited to the rather more expensive Audi A8. As a guide to the mass involved: the entire shell weighs so little that two people can easily pick it up; the side panel over the doors including the A- and D-pillars weighs approximately 2 kilograms (4 lb). A 2002 model A2 with standard equipment has a mass of 895 kg (1,973 lb).
The A2 can, however, thus be considered a trailblazer for various newer aluminium-based vehicles, such as the second-generation Audi A8 (D3) and Audi TT, and the X350 Jaguar XJ and 2006 Jaguar XK.
[edit] Interior
The A2 has a remarkable interior space for its exterior dimensions, including a boot, at 1,141 litres (40.3 cu ft), which is larger than the next model in Audi's range, the Audi A3. This is due mainly to the "sandwich"-type construction, similar again to that of the Renault Espace or the Mercedes A-Class, which enables the floorpan to have an upper and a lower portion. The space in the middle can be used to house various components, such as the fuel tank and the engine's electronics. The rear passengers also benefit, as their foot space reaches into this sandwich space, creating a comfortable seating position even for tall rear seat passengers. This is in direct contrast to the comfort available on the rear bench of an A-Class. To improve the weight distribution of the vehicle, its battery is located inside the boot, under the floor.
The A2's interior was very upmarket in comparison with other superminis. In the UK, there were several choices of seat material and colour. Material-wise, you could choose from the standard Matrix cloth, optional Cirrus cloth, optional Alcantara/leather, or full pearl Nappa leather seat coverings. On the Sport models, you received sports seats with electrically adjustable lumbar support as standard in Jaquered satin cloth. You could have most seat materials in a choice of red, blue, beige, grey and black. Individual options were also available such as phoenix yellow/crimson red/blue seats, steering wheels, gear lever and handbrake lever.
The A2 had many innovative ideas - such as the space floor storage system which was a box that slotted in the rear passenger foot well, a rear cup holder which unclipped and a double (false) floor boot where items could be hidden from thieves.
[edit] Service Hatch / "Serviceklappe"
The front of the car included an unusual design feature called the "Serviceklappe" in German — this translates to "service hatch" or "service panel". On early cars, this was a glossy black panel at the lower edge of the bonnet (hood), where the radiator grille would normally be sited. Behind it are the filling points for oil and screen wash fluid, and the dipstick. Thanks to these features, in the daily use of the car the bonnet does not need to be raised.
The service hatch is the most obvious indicator of the age of any particular A2; it was changed to matte black for the "color.storm" colour schemes, and for model year 2004 it acquired fake grille slats.
Very little else was changed externally; colours and roadwheels were changed mildly during the production run. The only other external indicator of the age of the car is the windscreen wiper; very early models have a traditional blade, where newer ones have a "flex" version ("Aerotwin" from Bosch, model 760). This change was made for model year 2002.
The service panel was widely rumoured to be another example of making it virtually impossible for a car's owner to service a car without taking it to a workshop. Other than refilling operating fluids, the internal combustion engine, for example, was said to be highly inaccessible, and working on auxiliary components almost universally required the use of a lifting ramp. Actually, the bonnet is easily removed, being held in place by two twist-lock catches. It then comes away from the car altogether, unlike the usual hinged flip-up arrangement on most other cars.
[edit] Special versions
Audi also has a version of the A2 in its Neckarsulm plant which has been converted into a pickup truck by trainees — the "A2 Caddy". This was on public show for the first time at the A2-Club of Germany's annual meeting in Amberg, Germany, in August 2005.[citation needed]
Audi also released an S line version in Germany - with larger wheels, sports seats and steering wheel and lowered suspension. In the UK, the last Audi A2's were badged as special edition models featuring a parcel shelf, climate control and a CD player free of charge.
[edit] 1.2 TDI
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The Audi A2 1.2 TDI was the most drag coefficient car in the world at the time of its launch, it was also one of the most economical and lowest polluting, only emitting 89g/km of CO2 emissions. It was available in standard form of special 3L trim that used only 3L/100KM. The 3L was only available as standard with the only optional extra being body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. The reason behind having no optional extras was that every option adds weight and loses economy. The glass was thinner, the seats were lighter and the tires had a lower rolling resistance, the engine block was made from a light alloy despite it being a diesel. Even the rear spoiler was reshaped through wind tunnelling to achieve a 0.28 cd figure. The car had an automated manual transmission which had a Tiptronic mode and a clutch which engage when you released your foot of the accelerator for maximum economy.
The car also had an ECO button, when engaged it limited the power to 30bhp (excluding kick down)and programmed the transmission to change up at the most economical point. ECO mode also activated the start/stop function, a feature that was revolutionary back in 1999.
[edit] Replacement
In 2006, it became known that Audi plans to launch a more conventional Audi A1 model around 2009 to compete with the MINI.[3]
[edit] Technical information
The Audi A2 was available with the following internal combustion engines:
| engine name |
displacement / configuration |
max. power (DIN) at rpm |
max. torque at rpm |
engine ID code(s) |
0-100 km/h (62 mph) (seconds) |
top speed |
fuel consumption[4] |
years produced[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| petrol engines all fuel injected |
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| 1.4 16v | 1390 cc inline 4cyl 16v DOHC | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) @ 5,000 rpm |
126 N·m (93 ft·lbf) @ 3,800 rpm |
AUA, BBY |
12.3 sec | 173 km/h (107.5 mph) | 6.0 L/100 km (47.1 mpg-imp; 39.2 mpg-US) | 06/00–04/02 05/02–08/05 |
| 1.6 FSI | 1598 cc inline 4cyl 16v DOHC Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) |
81 kW (110 PS; 109 bhp) @ 5,800 rpm |
155 N·m (114 ft·lbf) @ 4,400 rpm |
BAD | 9.8 sec | 202 km/h (125.5 mph) | 5.9 L/100 km (47.9 mpg-imp; 39.9 mpg-US) | 05/02–08/05 |
| diesel engines all Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) |
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| 1.2 TDI aka: 3L |
1191 cc inline 3cyl SOHC | 45 kW (61 PS; 60 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm |
140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) @ 1,800–2,400 rpm |
ANY, AYZ |
14.9 sec | 168 km/h (104.4 mph) | 3.0 L/100 km (94.2 mpg-imp; 78.4 mpg-US) | 03/01–08/05 |
| 1.4 TDI | 1422 cc inline 3cyl SOHC | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm |
195 N·m (144 ft·lbf) @ 2,200 rpm |
AMF, BHC |
12.6 sec | 173 km/h (107.5 mph) | 4.3 L/100 km (65.7 mpg-imp; 54.7 mpg-US) | 06/00–08/03 09/03–08/05 |
| 1.4 TDI | 1422 cc inline 3cyl SOHC | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) @ 4,000 rpm |
230 N·m (170 ft·lbf) @ 1,900–2,200 rpm |
ATL | 10.9 sec | 188 km/h (116.8 mph) | 4.3 L/100 km (65.7 mpg-imp; 54.7 mpg-US) | 11/03–08/05 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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