Trader Dreamer: Audi A2

You may have read my ‘Dream Barn’, on the excellent Petrolblog. Whether you did or not, one of my choices was the Audi RS4, and I claimed it was nearly the best Audi ever, but not quite, thanks to the A2. Of course this is entirely my opinion, but I’m fully prepared to justify the A2’s place above the fire-breathing RS4 in this weeks ‘Trader Dreamer’.

Picture from wyzik

I’ve held this opinion for some time, but for some reason every time I inform someone else I am met with disbelief. When there's A5’s cruising around, flaunting their sporty looks, I can somewhat understand their scepticism. To my eyes the A2 is no ugly duckling however; its squat stance looks right in the same way as the Panda 100hp. If your friends don’t agree, you can at least tell them it was styled by Luc Donckerwolke, the man behind the Lamborghini Gallardo and Muchielago.

While beneath the A5 lies the somewhat unimpressive B8 A4, the A2 sits on a platform all of its own, a real rarity in the world of Volkswagen and Audi. It’s a very special platform too; it’s all aluminium, making the A2 the first production car to be entirely made of the stuff.  This means that the car has a kerb weight of 895kg in its most basic form, which is great for economy. The 1.4 petrol manages 47.1 mpg, that’s impressive today, even with car manufactures deploying all sorts of MPG test route beating technology. The A2 however managed this figure in 1999, and achieved it through lightness and clever engineering. The 1.2 TDI, which was not available in the UK, was capable of 94.2 mpg, no car can match that today, and this was 13 years ago!

Clever engineering extends further than the aluminium chassis too; storage in the rear foot wells, a part time alternator, and the well-known service hatch. For those that don’t remember, the A2’s front grille flipped forward to give access to screen wash fluid, oil dipstick and oil filler, meaning the day to day servicing of the car could be undertaken without removing the bonnet. I say removing the bonnet intentionally; there was no hinge system, the bonnet is taken off the car in its entirety by two twist locks.

In the UK you’ll find either 1.4 and 1.6 petrol’s, or a 1.4 TDI, in two states of tune, under that bonnet. Only the1.6 petrol delivers 60mph in a single digit (9.8 seconds) but it is still capable of delivering 47mpg. The A2 isn’t a bad steer either, despite a slightly firm low speed ride (variable rate springs countered this a little in the 1.6) and numb steering, the car corners gamely with plenty of grip. It was good enough for Autocar to give the 1.4 Petrol a 5-star review, saying the car ‘could, just possibly, be the template for the way all small cars should be made in the future’. Strangely enough, this has not proved to be the case. Small cars of today are chasing economy in a way which was not fashionable in the A2’s time. Yet low weight isn’t the huge concern it should be, with stop start systems and the like being the choice weapon for improving a cars economy.

Indeed the A2 was not the sales success it deserved to be. High purchase cost is said to have put many off, and rumour had it that Audi was making a loss on each car. On the basis of this information it is perhaps not so surprising that nothing like the A2 has been made since, despite the new focus carmakers have on economy. At least we can still buy the A2 however. A used, 65mpg A2 for £3,000 makes a very strong case against a more modern ‘eco’ car. For that 3 grand you get comparable economy, a classier interior and plenty of kit too, it’s almost hard to argue against it. Reliability is good too. The downside being that repair costs are quite high, with electrical faults the main thing to look out for.

Here’s some I found

Here’s one of the cheapest around, a 1.4 at just £1,794. It looks slightly ropey, and comes with ‘marks on bodywork’. It has had the same owner for 7 years and if it transpires that owner has maintained it decently, the car could be a bargain.

At the other end of the scale there is this lovely example. For £3,595 you get the 1.4 again, but inside you’ll find full leather, climate control and sat nav. The car comes with a full service history and a 12 month parts and labour warranty too.

This 2002 1.4 TDI comes in at a mere £2,975. You don’t get much kit, but it should prove very cheap to run, no mention of service history, but it at least has a valid MOT.

This 2004 1.4 TDI is the more powerful version, and comes with full service history, climate control and an Audi symphony stereo. The mileage is still in the 100’s, which could perhaps be taken into consideration with the near £5k asking price. In any case the car is just as cheap to run as the cheaper one above, and should provide you with a decent turn of pace too.

If you’re feeling adventurous this all-road styled yellow A2 might be what you’re looking for. It comes with the most powerful engine, the 1.6, and has low miles with a full service history. The colour might have something to do with the seemingly bargain £3,295 price tag.

An extra £400 gets you this sport model from a private seller. It looks well looked after, features the same 1.6, and some tasty looking 17” alloys (although these can’t help that poor low speed ride).

Specifications

Audi A2 1.4 / 1.6 FSI / 1.4 TDI 75 / 1.4 TDI 90

0-60 12.3 / 9.8 / 12.6 / 10.9 seconds
0-100 N/A
Top Speed 107 / 126 / 107 / 118 mph
Power 75 / 110 / 75 / 90 bhp
Torque 93 / 114 / 144 / 170 lb/ft
Weight 895 / 995 / 990 / 1030 kg
Insurance Group 5 / 8 / 5 / 5
MPG 47.1 / 47.9 / 65.7 / 65.7

Warranty Direct Reliability Index 106
How Many Left 10k +