Audi has revealed that the upcoming A2 e-tron will be the most energy-efficient model in the company’s history. Based on preliminary WLTP figures, the compact electric vehicle records an energy consumption of just 12.8 kWh per 100 km in its 140 kW variant when equipped with the optional efficiency package.
The impressive efficiency has been achieved through a combination of advanced electric drivetrain technology, optimized aerodynamics, and a battery designed to deliver maximum real-world usability without compromising performance.
Highlighting the significance of the model, Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG, said the original Audi A2 has been a memorable part of his career since he joined the Volkswagen Group in the 1990s. He noted that the pioneering three-litre version of the A2 set new standards for efficiency, and the new A2 e-tron carries that philosophy into the electric era.
According to Döllner, the A2 e-tron has been developed to offer exceptional efficiency while meeting the practical needs of everyday driving, reflecting Audi’s vision of modern electric mobility focused on customer expectations.
Key facts about the Audi A2 e-tron 140 kW with the efficiency package
- Energy consumption of 12.8 kWh/100 km (preliminary) based on WLTP measurements
- Drag coefficient of 0.24 — the best in Audi’s compact lineup, with aerodynamic measures reducing WLTP energy consumption by up to 0.9 kWh/100 km
- Highly efficient electric drive with advancements in power electronics, the electric motor, and transmission
- A 61-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery achieves 89.6 percent charging efficiency at the wallbox with an adapted cooling strategy
- Bidirectional charging: Vehicle-to-Load2 and Vehicle-to-Home turn the A2 e-tron into an energy storage system
Aerodynamic measures reduce WLTP energy consumption by up to 0.9 kWh/100 km
At speeds of around 100 km/h and above, drag accounts for more than 50 percent of a vehicle’s total energy demand. Every reduction in the drag coefficient brings a direct improvement in consumption and range. At 0.24, the A2 e-tron 140 kW with the efficiency package1 has the best drag coefficient among Audi’s compact models and makes the most of this advantage.
Its body follows the principles of streamlined design: a rounded front end, a flowing roofline, and a sharply defined rear. This design reduces drag compared with a conventional fastback model. Further detail solutions at the front flanks include air curtains — channels that redirect airflow to suppress turbulence — as well as gap reducers and gap breathers, which calm the air around the wheel arches.
The Audi A2 e-tron features an active cool-air intake that stays closed during normal driving and at higher speeds to reduce drag and optimize range. During charging, rapid acceleration, or in summer heat, the active cool-air intake opens to protect the battery and electronics.
Taken together, these measures reduce energy consumption in the Audi A2 e-tron 140 kW with the efficiency package by up to 0.9 kWh/100 km compared with an identical vehicle without these modifications. According to the WLTP, the model therefore achieves a preliminary energy consumption of 12.8 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometers.
The upgraded drive system is up to 10 percent more efficient
The electric motor in the A2 e-tron is a permanently excited synchronous motor engineered specifically for efficiency and driving comfort. The drive system delivers efficient performance exactly where customers expect it: in everyday traffic. Three key advancements make the difference:
- Power electronics: silicon carbide semiconductors replace the previous silicon technology and significantly reduce switching losses — especially under partial load. Variable switching frequency cuts losses by up to 20 watts; alternative modulation techniques reduce switching losses by up to 33 percent compared with conventional methods.
- Electric motor: thinner laminations (0.2 instead of 0.3 millimeters) reduce what are known as iron losses. The stator winding switches from a star to a delta configuration, shifting operation into more efficient motor speed ranges.
- Transmission: a new low-friction oil noticeably reduces friction losses. At higher road speeds, the tall 10.2:1 gear ratio lowers the motor speed, which can reduce energy consumption.
Highly efficient battery with an intelligent operating strategy
For the battery in the A2 e-tron 140 kW, Audi uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells in a cell-to-pack design: the cells are bonded directly into the housing, which increases packing density. This means the energy content and energy density of the high-voltage system can be increased while taking up less space. The LFP battery does not require rare earth elements, ages more slowly than many alternatives, and is considered particularly safe. Thanks to this durability, the batteries can be routinely charged to 100 percent in everyday use. This consistently enables long range.
Thanks to its characteristically flat voltage curve, the battery maintains a high voltage even as the state of charge (SoC) drops, delivering more consistent power output. This is important for the overall picture. After all, efficiency is not just about reducing energy consumption — it also means ensuring the battery maintains its performance and usability over a long service life. LFP technology offers greater aging stability, making it an excellent choice for everyday electric mobility.
But the cell chemistry of the LFP battery is just one element. The greatest efficiency gains emerge from the precise interplay of battery, thermal management, charging electronics, and software. For example, an adapted cooling strategy increases wallbox charging efficiency to 89.6 percent, which means less energy lost and more consistent charging behavior day to day.
Overall, the Audi A2 e-tron demonstrates that efficiency in an electric vehicle isn’t merely a matter of hardware — it depends to a great extent on the control strategy. An algorithm specifically turned to the LFP battery accurately assesses its state of charge and state of health.
The A2 e-tron also supports bidirectional charging: Vehicle-to-Load1 powers external devices directly from the car, while Vehicle-to-Home allows the vehicle to be used as a home energy storage system. An Audi-recommended charging box is required.
