2001: A Space Auditiy (Audi A2 content)
Discussion
Partially for practical reasons (so the Burd can have a useable car whilst I fettle her Clio back to health), and partially to satisfy my econogeek, I have bought car #10.
So to that end, this thread will be a mix of an ownership thread, and a bit of a discussion about this weird little car...
I'll start off with some insight as to how the A2 came to be, and why it's such a funny looking lil f
ker..
Back in the mists of time, prior to Western Civilisation suffering the thrill* of sub- prime mortgage CDOs, a CEO at a well respected automobile finance house had an idea.
This idea was simple : develop an entry level model to the marque that bristled with the technology and forward thinking of larger models.
Striving to alter conventions of small car design, it would be formed from the same lightweight material as the flagship large saloon.
With an eye to retention of a "Corporate design" identity, designers were challenged with provision of big car comfort in an aerodynamic yet small footprint. To pack it in, they had to think tall.
The result was the Audi A2.
A car Audi lost money on, and that was outsold almost 6:1 by the Mercedes A Class (yes, the car that could not remain upright).
Due to the Aluminium construction, the car weighed in at 990kg (2190lbs)
So, having had one on fleet (1.4Tdi 3cyl (75bhp) manual, 185K) for a couple of weeks, what did they get right? And where could it be improved?
Styling
The A2 Is a radical departure from the 3 box saloons and sleek estates Audi is known for. To try and draw through the corporate design cues, the face and arches are reminiscent of an A4 that has shrunk in the wash.
The side body mouldings are also eerily similar to those found on the A3/4/6.
It's here the similarities end.
From the front, it looks like an A3 modified for Lincoln to fit in Avec stovepipe hat.
At the side, it's like someone has sat half a water drop atop a Jenga Block. A stylised "quarterlight" serves to break up what would otherwise be an unfeasibly wide A pillar.
From the back, it's clear where Citroen stole the design for the C4 hatchback.
Overall, it is no Pontiac Aztek, but it's not a million miles away..
So to that end, this thread will be a mix of an ownership thread, and a bit of a discussion about this weird little car...
I'll start off with some insight as to how the A2 came to be, and why it's such a funny looking lil f
ker..Back in the mists of time, prior to Western Civilisation suffering the thrill* of sub- prime mortgage CDOs, a CEO at a well respected automobile finance house had an idea.
This idea was simple : develop an entry level model to the marque that bristled with the technology and forward thinking of larger models.
Striving to alter conventions of small car design, it would be formed from the same lightweight material as the flagship large saloon.
With an eye to retention of a "Corporate design" identity, designers were challenged with provision of big car comfort in an aerodynamic yet small footprint. To pack it in, they had to think tall.
The result was the Audi A2.
A car Audi lost money on, and that was outsold almost 6:1 by the Mercedes A Class (yes, the car that could not remain upright).
Due to the Aluminium construction, the car weighed in at 990kg (2190lbs)
So, having had one on fleet (1.4Tdi 3cyl (75bhp) manual, 185K) for a couple of weeks, what did they get right? And where could it be improved?
Styling
The A2 Is a radical departure from the 3 box saloons and sleek estates Audi is known for. To try and draw through the corporate design cues, the face and arches are reminiscent of an A4 that has shrunk in the wash.
The side body mouldings are also eerily similar to those found on the A3/4/6.
It's here the similarities end.
From the front, it looks like an A3 modified for Lincoln to fit in Avec stovepipe hat.
At the side, it's like someone has sat half a water drop atop a Jenga Block. A stylised "quarterlight" serves to break up what would otherwise be an unfeasibly wide A pillar.
From the back, it's clear where Citroen stole the design for the C4 hatchback.
Overall, it is no Pontiac Aztek, but it's not a million miles away..
Aerodynamics
With a Cd of between 0.25-0.29 (dependant on specific model, the lowest being the 3L model designed to do 94mpg), the A2 certainly lead the field in small car aerodynamics.
For comparison, my Clio 172 (same age 2001) is both lower and shorter, yet has a Cd of 0.35. A Citroen CX is in the order of 0.36.
For good fuel economy, minimising the effort required to shove the car through the air is key.
The A2 proves to be a study in both best and worst practice in this area.
First, the good:
A 'Service hatch' that opens to allow easy oil/screenwash topups also doubles as an effective grille block - reducing the mess potential as the air initially contacts the car.
The windscreen and roofline follow a profile that closely follows the angles considered most appropriate for drag reduction.
Additionally, there are some shapes on the roof to help order airflow.
You can also see how the rear window has been designed to maximise the roof length and kammback effect.
The back of the car has recieved particular attention to ensure air detachment is as clean as possible.
Notice again the rear window shape, and the wing to provide a clean, sharp surface. Just imagine a line between the end of the rear window, down onto the edge of the lip.
Such attention to detail continued into the rear lights :
if these design features seem familiar, it's likely you've seen similar on a 2nd Gen Toyota Prius - which didn't come out until 2003, a full 4 years after the A2.
With such attention to detail (not to mention incurring the additional cost of aluminium construction), you'd think they'd make sure the low hanging fruit was picked too, eh?
Not so.
After the effort expended on the "grille block/service hatch" and the windscreen angle, they decided to not bother tucking away the frankly gargantuan 26" pantograph window wiper..
They also missed a trick with the door mirrors - it couldn't have been difficult to enclose them fully!
Lastly, the wheels could have been solid (like my 1980 Citroen GSA)
Thats enough for now- I'll do more later.
With a Cd of between 0.25-0.29 (dependant on specific model, the lowest being the 3L model designed to do 94mpg), the A2 certainly lead the field in small car aerodynamics.
For comparison, my Clio 172 (same age 2001) is both lower and shorter, yet has a Cd of 0.35. A Citroen CX is in the order of 0.36.
For good fuel economy, minimising the effort required to shove the car through the air is key.
The A2 proves to be a study in both best and worst practice in this area.
First, the good:
A 'Service hatch' that opens to allow easy oil/screenwash topups also doubles as an effective grille block - reducing the mess potential as the air initially contacts the car.
The windscreen and roofline follow a profile that closely follows the angles considered most appropriate for drag reduction.
Additionally, there are some shapes on the roof to help order airflow.
You can also see how the rear window has been designed to maximise the roof length and kammback effect.
The back of the car has recieved particular attention to ensure air detachment is as clean as possible.
Notice again the rear window shape, and the wing to provide a clean, sharp surface. Just imagine a line between the end of the rear window, down onto the edge of the lip.
Such attention to detail continued into the rear lights :
if these design features seem familiar, it's likely you've seen similar on a 2nd Gen Toyota Prius - which didn't come out until 2003, a full 4 years after the A2.
With such attention to detail (not to mention incurring the additional cost of aluminium construction), you'd think they'd make sure the low hanging fruit was picked too, eh?
Not so.
After the effort expended on the "grille block/service hatch" and the windscreen angle, they decided to not bother tucking away the frankly gargantuan 26" pantograph window wiper..
They also missed a trick with the door mirrors - it couldn't have been difficult to enclose them fully!
Lastly, the wheels could have been solid (like my 1980 Citroen GSA)
Thats enough for now- I'll do more later.
Test drove one at the time and very entertaining going round and round an island with the car perfectly planted and bolt upright. The driver and passenger though both sat in the passenger seat. I think it employed some clever electronics for the period to beat the “Elk test”.
Didn’t buy though as at £16k we decided to buy a Civic TypeR for the same money!!!!
Didn’t buy though as at £16k we decided to buy a Civic TypeR for the same money!!!!
Mikebentley said:
Test drove one at the time and very entertaining going round and round an island with the car perfectly planted and bolt upright. The driver and passenger though both sat in the passenger seat. I think it employed some clever electronics for the period to beat the “Elk test”.
Didn’t buy though as at £16k we decided to buy a Civic TypeR for the same money!!!!
Interesting you mention price:Didn’t buy though as at £16k we decided to buy a Civic TypeR for the same money!!!!
Audi A2 new 02-05
£12,610-16,445 (parkers data)
Merc A Class new 98-04
£12,570-21,825 (parkers data)
I can only think that one star beats four rings in the perception of premium. That's why Merc sold a million, and Audi 176k
I ran one of these for a while. Great little cars. Mine was a Y plate too, 1.4TDi SE. List price was £19.5k in 1999!
Having also owned an A class, I can see why they sold more of them than the A2. They're much more 'normal' and I hate to say it, more comfortable and better at being "just a car" which the majority of purchases around this size are for. The A2 is a much better example of engineering, and I far preferred it to the A class overall. The 3cylinder diesel is also a bit of an acquired taste which didn't help its popularity.
If you get any excuse to, change the dampers for Koni FSD. Utterly transforms the A2, ride and handling both night and day better.
Having also owned an A class, I can see why they sold more of them than the A2. They're much more 'normal' and I hate to say it, more comfortable and better at being "just a car" which the majority of purchases around this size are for. The A2 is a much better example of engineering, and I far preferred it to the A class overall. The 3cylinder diesel is also a bit of an acquired taste which didn't help its popularity.
If you get any excuse to, change the dampers for Koni FSD. Utterly transforms the A2, ride and handling both night and day better.
Vantagemech.. said:
Audi lost £4k on each car they sold.
I've got a 2002 remapped 75TDI. Do about 450 miles a week in it. Costs £37 in fuel....
Brilliant little car, thought the sport 17"s are made of cheese....
It's only moneyI've got a 2002 remapped 75TDI. Do about 450 miles a week in it. Costs £37 in fuel....
Brilliant little car, thought the sport 17"s are made of cheese....
tbh apart from being different to work with , Aluminium also has a much more volatile market price (or at last it did when I worked in Waste Management), so no doubt they would also be fighting a war to try o keep hat cost under controlagent006 said:
I ran one of these for a while. Great little cars. Mine was a Y plate too, 1.4TDi SE. List price was £19.5k in 1999!
Having also owned an A class, I can see why they sold more of them than the A2. They're much more 'normal' and I hate to say it, more comfortable and better at being "just a car" which the majority of purchases around this size are for. The A2 is a much better example of engineering, and I far preferred it to the A class overall. The 3cylinder diesel is also a bit of an acquired taste which didn't help its popularity.
If you get any excuse to, change the dampers for Koni FSD. Utterly transforms the A2, ride and handling both night and day better.
The 3 cyl is an odd choice - if it had the 100bhp 1.9pd it'd almost be a bit sporty in performance, and still knocking on 60mpg (I had that lump in a Fabia )Having also owned an A class, I can see why they sold more of them than the A2. They're much more 'normal' and I hate to say it, more comfortable and better at being "just a car" which the majority of purchases around this size are for. The A2 is a much better example of engineering, and I far preferred it to the A class overall. The 3cylinder diesel is also a bit of an acquired taste which didn't help its popularity.
If you get any excuse to, change the dampers for Koni FSD. Utterly transforms the A2, ride and handling both night and day better.
I may change the dampers should it stay on fleet long enough, but unlikely to spend more than I bought the car for on Koni's;)
G111MDS said:
Nice choice - we’re on our third A2 TDi. Great wee cars.
We'll see whether this could be the start of a beautiful friendship, or more of a passing fling..They are a brilliant, well thought out and well designed car. Which is why I have one as a daily.
I got this silly cheap because it was p/x'd to a dealer who only sold 'luxury' cars. The A2 is just a excellent place to be, I would say the quality and finish is miles ahead of it's time for a car that went out of production in 2005.
Heres mine at IKEA which I should add it is great at, the rear seats fold upwards so in times of need it's almost like having a Transit connect.
I got this silly cheap because it was p/x'd to a dealer who only sold 'luxury' cars. The A2 is just a excellent place to be, I would say the quality and finish is miles ahead of it's time for a car that went out of production in 2005.
Heres mine at IKEA which I should add it is great at, the rear seats fold upwards so in times of need it's almost like having a Transit connect.
Edited by BlueHave on Tuesday 26th March 23:42
I'll agree the 3 cylinder is a bit of an acquired taste, a soundtrack similar to a C1 perhaps.
Mapped to about 108 bhp they a fairly nippy little things and with normal driving return around 50mog, my best being 67 having a lazy 200 mile run down motorways.
Niggly faults - consistent with all VAG part sharing models- let it down a little bit the owners club is one of the most helpful and informative out there with members breaking in saveable cars for a fraction of either dealer or breaker prices. Primarily being Polo running gear in an alloy body, barring damage, they should keep going for quite a time yet. Many in excess of 200k miles.
Mapped to about 108 bhp they a fairly nippy little things and with normal driving return around 50mog, my best being 67 having a lazy 200 mile run down motorways.
Niggly faults - consistent with all VAG part sharing models- let it down a little bit the owners club is one of the most helpful and informative out there with members breaking in saveable cars for a fraction of either dealer or breaker prices. Primarily being Polo running gear in an alloy body, barring damage, they should keep going for quite a time yet. Many in excess of 200k miles.
Happily, some actual scientific research has been done into reducing the Cd of the A2 by 3 well respected universities in the UK.
here's some slides from the University of Warwick that managed to reduce the drag efficiency of the already slippy A2 by 33%
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/lcvtp/news/hevc11/ws12_review_may11.pdf
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/lcvtp/presentations/ws12finalpresentation120221.pdf
Plenty potential ideas there ( may be worth exploring when it comes off the daily crawl through rush hr traffic with the Burd)
here's some slides from the University of Warwick that managed to reduce the drag efficiency of the already slippy A2 by 33%
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/lcvtp/news/hevc11/ws12_review_may11.pdf
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/lcvtp/presentations/ws12finalpresentation120221.pdf
Plenty potential ideas there ( may be worth exploring when it comes off the daily crawl through rush hr traffic with the Burd)
GreatGranny said:
OP, have you seen the Volkswizard YouTube vid where he takes his A2 TDi for a remap at Stealth Racing?
He's very impressed with it afterwards.
Power to 108bhp and torque to 280lbs/ft!
I have not, will be worth a watch.He's very impressed with it afterwards.
Power to 108bhp and torque to 280lbs/ft!
At the moment, it'll get maintenance work done first.
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