Audi develops new A2; plans for U.S. unclear

[GT-Rick]

Audi is developing a reincarnation of the A2 small car that will slot between the A3 and the A1 minicar introduced in Geneva last week. "There's clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1," Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said on the sidelines of the Geneva auto show. Michael ****, Audi's board member for technology, said in an interview that the company's push to add electric variants will play a role with the next-generation A2 "in the near future." The German media have reported that the A2 is expected by 2014. A decision on a U.S. model has not been made. Audi is using its e-tron vehicles as a high-profile proving ground for battery and electric-drive technology. In Detroit, Audi launched an e-tron sports car; in Geneva Audi showed an e-tron A1. In the long run, Audi plans to use the electric car template as a basis for future models. According to media reports, the A2 will be based on the A1 shown in Geneva. It will have unique styling and an electric powertrain. The original, slow-selling A2 was produced in Europe from late 1999 to 2005. It was criticized for its styling and less-than-stellar performance. In total, only 176,377 A2s were sold.