“We wanted to set new benchmarks at Audi”
With the Audi A2 e-tron, Audi is bringing the most efficient model in its history to the road. Michael Schurr, Technical Project Manager for the Audi A2 e-tron, explains what efficiency means to Audi and the measures implemented to achieve it.
Michael, what was the idea behind the Audi A2 e-tron?
Michael Schurr: We wanted to make electric mobility at Audi accessible to a broader target group. Drawing inspiration from the exceptionally efficient Audi A2, our goal was to carry its efficiency philosophy into the electric era and set new benchmarks. To customers and fans of the Audi brand, the Audi A2 still embodies efficiency more than virtually no other model. The 1.2-liter TDI variant introduced in 2001 consumed just three liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (NEDC). Accordingly, maximum efficiency was also one of the central development objectives for the Audi A2 e-tron.
And the results speak for themselves...
Absolutely! The Audi A2 e-tron with 140 kW and optional efficiency package achieves an average electric power consumption of just 12.8 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers (WLTP, provisional figures). This is equivalent to a diesel consumption of around 1.3 liters per 100 kilometers. In other words, the Audi A2 e-tron with 140 kW and optional efficiency package consumes less than half the energy of the Audi A2 1.2 TDI from back then – despite being larger. This impressively demonstrates the progress made in 25 years of automotive development.
What does the topic of efficiency mean in connection with an electric car?
To me, efficiency means getting the maximum out of the resources used. To our customers, it means: maximum possible range, low energy consumption, low costs and fewer charging stops in everyday use.
“To me, efficiency means getting the maximum out of the resources used. To our customers, it means: maximum possible range, low energy consumption, low costs and fewer charging stops in everyday use.”
Michael Schurr, Technical Project Manager for the Audi A2 e-tron
What makes the Audi A2 e-tron the most efficient Audi to date?
Optimizations from several development departments contribute to this achievement. The “Development Efficiency BEV” department, for example, identified the various factors influencing efficiency and tracked progress throughout the project. The key parameter governing vehicle efficiency is driving resistance, which is made up of factors including rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag.
- Rolling resistance mainly has a noticeable impact at urban driving speeds. To minimize this, we developed a tire with optimized rolling resistance for the Audi A2 e-tron 140 kW with efficiency package.
- Aerodynamic drag increases with speed and is the dominant factor outside urban areas. For this reason, optimizing aerodynamics remained a key focus throughout the entire project: Exterior components are optimized to minimize aerodynamic drag. Along with other measures, we developed aerodynamic rims for some wheel versions and reduced airflow turbulence around the tires by incorporating air inlets ahead of and special components on the wheel housing. This results in a low drag coefficient of 0.24.
Read more about the aerodynamics of the Audi A2 e-tron
- The LFP battery features a design that delivers high energy density while requiring minimal installation space and keeping weight low. Its cell chemistry contains no rare earth elements and offers a long service life. We were able to increase overall vehicle efficiency by improving charging efficiency: through an optimized cooling strategy.
Read more about the battery in the Audi A2 e-tron
- The Audi A2 e-tron models use two different drive units: the newly developed APP350 delivering up to 170 kW and 350 Nm for the smaller output variants and the APP550 with up to 240 kW and 545 Nm for the higher-performance models. Both drive units consist of electric motor, transmission and power electronics and are integrated into the rear axle. The newly developed APP350 was revised in certain areas to achieve a significant improvement in efficiency. This was made possible by new semiconductors in the power electronics to reduce switching losses, modifications to the windings in the electric motor and measures to optimize friction in the transmission.
What makes the Audi A2 e-tron special to you?
The Audi A2 e-tron demonstrates that maximum efficiency and high everyday suitability can be combined. As the most efficient Audi, it unites a long range, impressing driving performance, generous interior space, a highly modern infotainment system and numerous intelligent equipment features – in short, it is a vehicle for almost every aspect of life!
The Audi A2 e-tron marks Audi’s new entry into the electric compact class. It will make its debut in autumn 2026 and will be available to order from then on. The first deliveries to customers will begin in 2026.
