Shed Of The Week: Audi A2
Audi did the premium, efficient small car 15 years ago and Shed's found one under £1,000
If however you thought of the Audi A2, welcome to normal society. This motoring cliche is the one most often associated with the radically-styled mini-MPV that would carry five bods in a surprisingly small footprint, that was hewn from aluminium to minimise weight and fuel use, and that was the first European five-door to hit the Holy Grail target of 'three litres per 100km' back at the turn of the century.
Looking pretty smart for 165K miles
So why were less than 200,000 sold, compared to the million-plus deeply flawed A-Class Mercs that sidled onto our roads? Well, a mainstream product that's ahead of its time is fine, but not when it also comes with ahead-of-time pricing. These days, nobody would so much as blink at the idea of paying premium rates for a titchy motor, but back in 2000 the concept of a small Audi at a big price only confused people.
This one, our first A2 SOTW, is the 75hp 1.4 petrol. It's cheap because of its high mileage and flickering engine management light. This could very easily be nothing more than a failed sensor, and less than £100 to fix.
Yes the diesel would be preferable but it's £995!
Shed ran a very early 1.4 TDI for the best part of a year. He remembers its remarkable spaciousness and (visibility-impinging A-pillars aside) its easy, rather cool, driving experience. The functional sparseness and intelligence of its design made every trip feel special, an unusual trait for this class of vehicle.
A2s come with quirks, too, which is not something you can say about every Audi. '02 models and later switched to a new design of windscreen wiper, but the earlier ones made the whole car rock. The rear screen glass has a slightly distorting effect on anything behind, visually converting conventional motors into tall A2-alikes. Good.
Still kind of works for such an old design
There was some factory talk of a new A2 for 2012, pinching the steel monocoque from the A1. It seemed a retrograde step for such an avant-garde little car. Evidently Audi thought so too because that project was canned, along with plans to productionise 2011's electric A2 concept. Interestingly, CEO Rupert Stadler has just said that Audi plans to dominate the premium car market by 2020. BMW, Mercedes and indeed Jaguar might have something to say about that, but you suspect that the inclusion of a new and even more advanced A2 in those plans would put Audi in with a decent shout of meeting its goal. An excellent execution of an excellent concept.
SILVER Hatchback.1390 cc Petrol, Manual. SILVER, FSH PX Clearance, Drives Fine but EML Light comes on here and there hence Bargain Tax MoT Sept 14, Standard Features - PAS, Drivers airbag, ABS, Remote central locking, Alarm, Immobiliser, Front electric windows, Alloy wheels, Radio/Cassette, Front head restraints, Body coloured bumpers, Passenger airbag, Traction control, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, Electric door mirrors, Side airbags, Steering wheel reach adjustment, Rear headrests, Space saver spare wheel.
The ultra rare 3L Tdi version is the ecomiser of the fleet which I've always been after, though I ended up with a Lupo 3L instead with which it shares the same drivetrain & daft economy.
They suffer the usual Audi traits of Spanish made switchgear & dodgy electricals so make sure you buy a copy of VAG COM if you want to run one.
The acolytes on the owners forum talk like you can squeeze a three seater sofa in to it. It uses it's space pretty well but don't expect miracles.
I sold mine after less than a year because I couldn't stand the agricultural nature of the diesel engine and long throw gearbox. Perfectly likeable in every other way and it really did do 50mpg around the suburbs. I'd have the 1.6 if I were buying another.
The ultra rare 3L Tdi version is the ecomiser of the fleet which I've always been after, though I ended up with a Lupo 3L instead with which it shares the same drivetrain & daft economy.
They suffer the usual Audi traits of Spanish made switchgear & dodgy electricals so make sure you buy a copy of VAG COM if you want to run one.
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2013/...
A great little car, would do 100mph 4 up with ease (on the autobahn officer). Excellent fuel economy.
Two weeks later we found my wife was pregnant and the pram she wanted wouldn't fit in the boot. Why sell a car to accommodate a pram? Four years later we have no A2 but do have two daughters and an even bigger pram.. And an Smax.
Best little car we've ever had. If only briefly
A great little car, would do 100mph 4 up with ease (on the autobahn officer). Excellent fuel economy.
Two weeks later we found my wife was pregnant and the pram she wanted wouldn't fit in the boot. Why sell a car to accommodate a pram? Four years later we have no A2 but do have two daughters and an even bigger pram.. And an Smax.
Best little car we've ever had. If only briefly
The ultra rare 3L Tdi version is the ecomiser of the fleet which I've always been after, though I ended up with a Lupo 3L instead with which it shares the same drivetrain & daft economy.
They suffer the usual Audi traits of Spanish made switchgear & dodgy electricals so make sure you buy a copy of VAG COM if you want to run one.
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