Audi launched its entry-level electric car, the A2 e-tron, in Ireland this week, with prices starting at €38,200 after grants. The move brings the German premium brand into the affordable end of the EV market for the first time, and it replaces two familiar models, the A1 and the Q2.
The launch is part of a wider trend towards cheaper electric cars after years of high prices, but it still comes as a surprise to see a premium marque moving downmarket, according to RTE.ie, which reviewed the car ahead of its Irish release on 23 October.
A familiar name returns, this time on batteries
The A2 badge carries real history. The original Audi A2, built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was a lightweight small car well ahead of its time, and the new model borrows some of its styling cues, including the familiar sloping roofline. The car measures 4.2 metres long and 1.2 metres high, giving it a strong, elegant profile that does not scream budget.
There is a practical reason behind the revival. The new model slots in below the Q4 e-tron as the brand's entry-level electric vehicle, according to Motor1.com, and it will be sold only with a battery-electric powertrain, unlike the original which ran on petrol and diesel.
What does the Irish buyer get for the money?
The starting price of €38,200 is attractive, but optional extras climb quickly. The 20-inch wheels, with 18-inch as standard, add €1,590, while a panoramic sunroof adds €1,539. The S-Line version shown to Irish journalists creeps up to €48,925, and with all the extras fitted the bill can reach €57,902.
Inside, the car earns its premium badge. Soft materials give the cabin a premium feel, and the front is comfortable with a screen that does not dominate the dashboard. The rear seats are more of a squeeze for taller passengers, partly because the battery location forces some compromise on thigh support. The boot offers a very decent 396 litres.
One curious omission: despite the Volkswagen Group, Audi's parent, vowing to bring back physical buttons in its new cars, the A2 e-tron shows little evidence of them.
Range, charging and the small print
There are two battery options for the Irish market. The 52 kWh unit has a claimed range of 421 kilometres, while the 61 kWh unit claims 498 kilometres. Fast charging takes 26 minutes, assuming you can find a charger that delivers quickly enough, a caveat that will ring true for anyone who has driven an EV on Irish rural roads.
Buyers elsewhere get more choice. According to Uni Track Ind, UK buyers get three battery options, rear-wheel drive, four power levels and a maximum WLTP range of 397 miles, with an on-the-road starting price of £32,200. The car is also fitted with vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-home technology, which lets owners power appliances or even their house from the car's battery, as Wikipedia notes.
Why an affordable premium EV matters here
For Irish drivers, this launch matters beyond the badge. The high price of electric cars has been the single biggest barrier to the switch away from petrol and diesel, and the second-hand EV market only grows when new cars become affordable enough to enter fleets in numbers. A premium brand charging under €40,000, after grants, puts pressure on every mainstream manufacturer to justify their own price lists.
Audi was likely watching its own stablemate, CUPRA, whose strong pricing and sales performance in Ireland probably shaped the equipment levels and price points of the A2 e-tron. Competition, not charity, is what drives prices down.
Still, the grants matter. The €38,200 figure only exists because the State subsidises electric motoring, and that subsidy is a policy choice. Cutting it, as some budget speculation regularly suggests, would push this car and its rivals back out of reach for ordinary working drivers. Affordable EVs are a social question as much as a market one.
Styling choices that divide opinion
Not everything about the new A2 convinces. The rear windscreen carries quite a large spoiler, which may not help visibility, although a rear camera is fitted. On days of filthy Irish weather, cameras can be a challenge in themselves.
The traditional door handles have been replaced with winglets, which protrude in a way that did not entirely impress RTE's reviewer, even if they contribute to the car's impressively low drag coefficient of 0.24. The front is a familiar Audi design, and the rear is particularly smart, with narrow LED lighting.
Whether those choices add up to a better car remains an open question, but the aerodynamics are beyond argument, and the claimed range figures benefit directly from them.
FAQ
How much does the Audi A2 e-tron cost in Ireland?
The A2 e-tron starts at €38,200 after grants, according to RTE.ie. The S-Line version rises to €48,925, and all available extras can bring the price to €57,902.
What is the range of the Audi A2 e-tron?
The 52 kWh battery has a claimed range of 421 kilometres, while the 61 kWh battery claims 498 kilometres. Real-world range will be lower, as is generally the case with manufacturer figures.
How long does the A2 e-tron take to fast charge?
Fast charging takes 26 minutes, provided the charger can deliver power quickly enough.
Which models does the A2 e-tron replace?
It replaces both the Audi A1 and the Audi Q2 in the Irish lineup.