Audi is currently trialing a new entry-level EV that will serve as an indirect successor to the outgoing A1 and Q2 models, which are scheduled for discontinuation next year. This upcoming EV will be Audi’s smallest model and is expected to compete with the BMW iX1 and the next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLA EV.
According to Autocar, the upcoming EV resembles a more compact Q4 E-tron while drawing design inspiration from the 1999–2005 A2. Since this EV isn’t intended to directly replace any current model, Audi may introduce a new nameplate for it—potentially reviving the long-unused A2 badge. While Audi CEO Gernot Döllner didn’t confirm any naming details, he told Autocar that it was ‘thinkable’ for the brand to reuse historic model names.
Although technical specifications have not yet been revealed, the upcoming electric vehicle is anticipated to be built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform—the same architecture used for models such as the Volkswagen ID.3, Audi Q4 E-tron, Ford Capri, and Cupra Tavascan.
With its compact footprint and design that blends elements of both hatchbacks and crossovers, it’s expected to share similar proportions with the Skoda Elroq.
In contrast to the Elroq, the upcoming EV will target the premium end of the market. CEO Gernot Döllner remarked that few brands globally are capable of delivering a genuine premium product in the A-segment; he believes Audi is one of them. According to Döllner, consolidating the A1 and Q2 into a single new model reflects Audi’s broader strategy to streamline its model range.
Audi’s upcoming EV will be the most compact model in its lineup, enabling the brand to concentrate on a selection of vehicles. Döllner said the approach is intended to deliver a more refined and transparent offering for customers.
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