Audi A2 Price Guide

The Audi A2 was years ahead of its time: an aluminium-bodied city car with a drag coefficient of 0.25 and fuel economy that embarrassed cars half its size. The buying public was not ready for it, Audi lost money on every one, and it was quietly killed off in 2005. Today, it is a cult car with a devoted following.

The Car

Produced from 1999 to 2005, the A2 used an all-aluminium space frame structure that kept weight to just 895kg in base specification. The 1.4 TDI diesel returned over 60mpg in real-world driving and the ultra-efficient 1.2 TDI three-cylinder (a 45bhp economy special) could achieve 80mpg. Petrol options included 1.4 and 1.6 FSI direct-injection engines. The cabin was spacious for four adults despite compact external dimensions. Around 176,000 were built, with very few coming to the UK.

Buying

The aluminium structure does not rust but crash damage is extremely expensive to repair; only Audi-approved aluminium repair centres can work on the body. The 1.4 TDI is the most common and practical choice. Check for timing belt history on the diesels. The interior is well-made but trim parts are scarce. The A2 was succeeded conceptually by the Q2 crossover, though the two share nothing mechanically or philosophically. The A2’s engineering ambition is yet to be repeated.