Tested 16.8.00
The forward-looking A2 had an all-aluminium bodyshell and was full of safety kit. Audi hoped to learn from Mercedes’ troubled Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
The baby Audi’s kerb weight of just 899kg was 150-200kg less than that of its rival five-door hatchbacks. This was achieved by intensive use of aluminium. The A2’s engine line-up at launch consisted of one petrol and one turbo diesel (both 1.4 litres and producing 75bhp), transversely mounted and linked to a five-speed manual gearbox.
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Bubbly performance from our car’s hushed petrol engine almost matched the VW Golf 1.6-litre. Mechanical refinement was excellent and the precise, short-throw gearbox worked beautifully. Solid front disc brakes and rear drums yielded excellent stopping power, with good pedal feel and no fade.
Using conventional MacPherson struts up front and a rear torsion bar, the Audi was delightfully agile but fidgeted over patchy surfaces.
The A2 was 250mm longer than an A-Class and offered impressive interior space. Featureless front seats aside, the special-feeling cabin set new standards among superminis. The car’s high price was also reflected in a generous roster of toys and safety kit.
For: Styling, steering, build quality, economy, space
Against: Lumpy low-speed ride, hard seats
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I had a 1.6 fsi back in 2004-6 as my company car. When it worked, it was great. Great space, and fun to throw around. Seriously bone shakingly good Bose hifi. Very refined too. Remember being on the autobahn and amazed how hushed it was at 100mph+. However the local Audi dealer became very familiar with it. Quite a bit went wrong. The chaps in the workshop used to get quite excited about it - a lot of the technology on it like the direct injection was a novelty back then. I seem to remember ignition coils needing replacing monthly. All the airbags had to be replaced. The electric sunroof jammed open. And it had to be parked in a garage since it had a tendency to open its doors and windows overnight. Servicing costs were also £££.I still remember it fondly though, rose tinted glasses I guess, but I've never considered an Audi since.
One of the most overrated cars of all time, which was throughly exposed when the Mk1 Honda Jazz launched in 2001. The Jazz was more versatile, had a vastly better engine and transmission and still had a kerb weight of only 980kg. Unsurprisingly, the Jazz quickly became a hit, and what little interest the expensive A2 still held in 2001 was gone.
More damning, the A2 had poor visibility. The wide curved alu A-pillars created serious blind spots. The alu construction was pointless and contributed to the dire visibility, especially for taller drivers. There's a reason small cars are made of hi-strength steel.
Great car, commercial failure. What a shame ...
The first generation A class was badly made, the second gen was probably a better buy, being a worthy successor.
The third gen onwards have given up innovation for Golf-chasing convention, and this from a company which invented the motor car.
The A2 has no successor either. The A1 is no more than a Polo clone.