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Photo of a Audi A2

Audi A2

A2 1.2 TDI: aluminum construction, 855 kg and just 2.99 L/100 km.1

Researched November 9, 2026 from 26 sources

Also called

  • 3LThe 1.2 TDI's alias points to its 3.0 L/100 km fuel consumption.23

At a glance

0100200
60–109 hpPower
07.515
9.8–14.9 s0–100 km/h
0125250
168–202 km/hTop speed
0150300
126–230 N·mTorque
07501,500
855–1,070 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.24

Engine
1.4 L gasoline I4; 1.6 L FSI I4; 1.2/1.4 L TDI diesel I32
Layout
Transverse front engine, front-wheel drive2
Gearbox
5-speed manual; 1.2 TDI: 5-speed automated manual12
Built at
Audi Neckarsulm plant, Germany; purpose-built A2 line2
Units built
176,3771

The story

The A2 chased low fuel use with an aluminum Audi Space Frame. Its Space Floor lowered the rear footwells for extra passenger room. Such construction brought a price like a well-equipped Golf.2456

1997: Al2 previews a four-adult aluminum car19971999: Aluminum goes into volume production19992000: Typ 8Z reaches showrooms20002001: 1.2 TDI: 2.99 L/100 km · 100,000 km in under 1,000 hours20012002: Direct injection brings 202 km/h20022003: colour.storm turns up the contrast · 89 hp TDI adds variable-vane boost20032005: Production ends at 176,3772005 NSU Prinz I, II and III: 1958–1962NSU Prinz 4: 1961–1973NSU Prinz 4NSU Prinz 1000 (Typ 67a): 1963–1972Typ 67aNSU Typ 110 / 1200: 1965–1972Audi 50 (Typ 86): 1974–1978Audi Al2 concept: 1997Audi A2 (8Z): 1999–20058ZAudi A2 concept: 2011 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones25171819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1958–1962NSU Prinz I, II and III
1961–1973NSU Prinz 4
1963–1972NSU Prinz 1000 (Typ 67a)
1965–1972NSU Typ 110 / 1200
1974–1978Audi 50 (Typ 86)
1997Audi Al2 concept
1999–2005Audi A2 (8Z)
2011Audi A2 concept
1997Al2 previews a four-adult aluminum car
1999Aluminum goes into volume production
2000Typ 8Z reaches showrooms
20011.2 TDI: 2.99 L/100 km
2001100,000 km in under 1,000 hours
2002Direct injection brings 202 km/h
2003colour.storm turns up the contrast
200389 hp TDI adds variable-vane boost
2005Production ends at 176,377
  1. 1997

    Al2 previews a four-adult aluminum car

    The Frankfurt Al2 study paired an aluminum body with room for four adults. Two years later, the production A2 kept much of its shape.5

  2. 1999

    Aluminum goes into volume production

    The production A2 debuted at the IAA. New Neckarsulm facilities opened on November 15; its aluminum body shell weighed about 153 kg.15

  3. 2000

    Typ 8Z reaches showrooms

    The A2 covered model years 2000–2005. Its June 30 market launch offered 1.4-liter gasoline and TDI engines, each with 74 hp.126

  4. 2001

    1.2 TDI: 2.99 L/100 km

    The 60 hp 1.2 TDI went on sale in March. Lighter seats and wheels helped cut weight to 855 kg; Cd was 0.25 and official economy 2.99 L/100 km.12

  5. 2001

    100,000 km in under 1,000 hours

    The 1.2 TDI covered 100,000 km on public roads in under 1,000 hours; Gerhard Plattner also logged a 2.12 L/100 km German crossing.7

  6. 2002

    Direct injection brings 202 km/h

    June's 1.6 FSI brought direct injection, 109 hp and a 202 km/h top speed. The A2 also won the Designpreis der Bundesrepublik Deutschland.289

  7. 2003

    colour.storm turns up the contrast

    March's colour.storm brought Imola yellow, Misano red, Sprint blue and Papaya orange, color-matched interiors, and matte-black roof and wheel-arch trim.1

  8. 2003

    89 hp TDI adds variable-vane boost

    The 1.4 TDI now made 230 Nm and gained a variable-geometry turbo. Rear disc brakes joined the upgrades, as on the 1.6 FSI.210

  9. 2005

    Production ends at 176,377

    After sales missed targets, production ended. The UK signed off with Special Edition models bundling climate control and a CD player.12

Every generation

  • NSU Prinz I, II and III
    NSU Prinz I, II and III1958–1962
  • NSU Prinz 4
    NSU Prinz 41961–1973
  • NSU Prinz 1000
    Typ 67a1963–1972
  • NSU Typ 110 / 1200
    NSU Typ 110 / 12001965–1972
  • Audi 50
    Typ 861974–1978
  • Audi A2
    8Z1999–2005
  • Audi A2 concept
    Audi A2 concept2011
  • Audi A2 e-tron
    Audi A2 e-tron

Power over the years

From 74 hp to 109 hp in 2 years.

050100150 200020022004 hp 2000 · 74 hp · 1.4 gasoline (AUA)2000 · 74 hp · 1.4 TDI (AMF)2001 · 60 hp · 1.2 TDI 3L (ANY)2002 · 74 hp · 1.4 gasoline (BBY)2002 · 109 hp · 1.6 FSI (BAD)2003 · 74 hp · 1.4 TDI (BHC, Euro 4)2003 · 89 hp · 1.4 TDI (ATL) 109 hp 1.6 FSI (BAD) 74 hp 1.4 gasoline (AUA)
1211
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2000741.4 gasoline (AUA)
2000741.4 TDI (AMF)
2001601.2 TDI 3L (ANY)
2002741.4 gasoline (BBY)
20021091.6 FSI (BAD)
2003741.4 TDI (BHC, Euro 4)
2003891.4 TDI (ATL)

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 1.4

    Standard

    1.4

    2000–2005

    74 hp

    81,649 built

  • 1.4 TDI

    Standard

    1.4 TDI

    2000–2005

    74 hp

    69,676 built

  • Standard

    Standard / SE / Sport

  • Special

    Advance / High Tech

    From July 2001

  • Special

    Style / Style Plus

  • Special

    Xtend (Austria)

    From July 2001

  • Special

    S line

    From April 2002

  • Special

    Special Edition (UK)

    2005

  • 1.6 FSI

    Performance

    1.6 FSI

    2002–2005

    109 hp

    11,081 built

  • 1.4 TDI (89 hp)

    Performance

    1.4 TDI (89 hp)

    2003–2005

    89 hp

    7,416 built

  • 1.2 TDI 3L

    Special

    1.2 TDI 3L

    2001–2005

    60 hp

    6,555 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Tall, egg-shaped profile.614
  • A grille-position service flap sits below a hood that lifts off completely for servicing.2
  • Rear glass continues below the spoiler.15
  • Pronounced wheel arches contrast with almost flush bumpers.5
  • Small side windows and thick front and rear pillars.15

Year by year

  1. June 2001

    Cabin controls gained a lighter-colored soft-touch coating in place of the earliest black plastic switches.11

  2. June 2001

    A flexible Aerotwin wiper blade replaced the original conventional blade.211

  3. 2002 model year

    Instrument needles became permanently lit; early needles light up only with the parking lights or headlights.11

  4. June 2002 (1.6 FSI)

    New 1.6 FSI cars received a larger rear spoiler mounted higher for stability at speed.2

  5. March 2003 (Colour Storm)

    Colour Storm added vivid paint, a matte-black roof and wheel-arch trim, and color-coordinated interiors.116

  6. October 2003

    The smooth service flap gained false grille ribs; swaps are easy, so treat this only as an age clue.211

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi A2
    A2
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz A140
    Mercedes-Benz A140

    Mercedes-Benz A140

    The A140 is shorter at much the same height; the A2 has a grille-position service flap.215

  • Photo of a Audi A2
    A2
    Photo of a Toyota Yaris Verso
    Toyota Yaris Verso

    Toyota Yaris Verso

    The Yaris Verso is taller and has a side-hinged rear door.15

Against its rivals

  • A2 vs Mercedes-Benz A140

    Avoidance maneuver

    A280 km/h
    Mercedes-Benz A14075 km/h
    15

  • A2 vs Toyota Yaris Verso 1.3

    Avoidance maneuver

    A280 km/h
    Toyota Yaris Verso 1.370 km/h
    15
  • VW Golf V TDI

    A2 vs VW Golf V TDI

    Power

    A289 hp
    VW Golf V TDI104 hp
    10

Prices

Price when newAuction salePrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 200020052010201520202025 2001 · $22,000 · Germany estimated price 2001 · $22,000 · Germany estimated price, 2001 model year 2025 · $2,445 · 2003 A2 1.6 FSI SE, Ewbank's2025 · $10,790 · 2001 A2 SE, Mathewsons2026 · $682 · A2, cosmetic flaws and intermittent ABS light, AutoA2026 · $2,126 · 2003 A2, WB & Sons2026 · $3,770 · 2002 A2 SE, Mathewsons2026 · $2,340 · 2005 A2, Mathewsons2026 · $6,370 · 2001 A2 1.4 petrol, Mathewsons2026 · $2,600 · 2004 A2 TDI SE, 154,225 miles at MOT, Mathewsons $10.8K Mathewsons, 2025
6242526
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2001Launch price$22,000Germany estimated price, 2001 model year
2001Price when new$22,000Germany estimated price
2025Auction sale$2,4452003 A2 1.6 FSI SE, Ewbank's
2025Auction sale$10,7902001 A2 SE, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$682A2, cosmetic flaws and intermittent ABS light, AutoA
2026Auction sale$2,1262003 A2, WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$3,7702002 A2 SE, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$2,3402005 A2, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$6,3702001 A2 1.4 petrol, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$2,6002004 A2 TDI SE, 154,225 miles at MOT, Mathewsons

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “100,000 km in under 1,000 hours”
    • “2.12 L/100 km across Germany”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Leading light: 25 years Audi A2 | audi.com audi.com
  2. Audi A2 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Audi A2 1.2 TDI Review | Audi A2 1.2 Review | New Audi A2 1.2 | Used Audi A2 1.2 TDI | | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  4. Audi A2 (8Z) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. Car Enthusiast NEWS - by CAINT.COM carenthusiast.com
  6. Driven: 2001 Audi A2 Hatchback caranddriver.com
  7. Drei neue Rekorde für den Audi A2 1.2 TDI / Der Aluminiumaudi legte als erste Auto ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  8. Audi A2 1.6 FSI (2000) | Información general - km77.com km77.com
  9. Audi A2 erhält deutschen "Design-Oskar" / Bundespräsident Johannes Rau verleiht ... | Presseportal presseportal.de
  10. Audi: Neuer Top-TDI im A2 [Autokiste] autokiste.de
  11. Aankooptips: lees dit eerst! - Audi A2 forum audi-a2.nl
  12. Audi A2: Posebna serija A2 - Avto novosti - Avto.info avto.info
  13. Ausstattungspakete – A2-Freun.de Wiki wiki.a2-freun.de
  14. Audi A2 (1999-2005) im Gebrauchtwagencheck auto-motor-und-sport.de
  15. Audi A2 - Mercedes-Benz A140 - Toyota Yaris Verso 1.3 bilnorge.no
  16. Read Audi A2 Colour Storm Review | Car Colors | Audi A2 Colours | Audi A2 Colours | Car Colours | | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. NSU Prinz - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. NSU Typ 110 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Audi 50 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Luc Donckerwolke - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Resultatservice - Nyheter resultatservice.com
  22. Mysteriöse Rekordfahrt deutschlandfunk.de
  23. Test zderzeniowy Audi A2 2002 • AutoCentrum.pl autocentrum.pl
  24. Audi A2 — auction in Lithuania | LotSeekr lotseekr.com
  25. Audi A2 For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  26. Sold | 2004 AUDI A2 TDI SE theclassicvaluer.com
  • audi.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • carenthusiast.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • presseportal.de
  • km77.com
  • autokiste.de
  • audi-a2.nl
  • avto.info
  • wiki.a2-freun.de
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • bilnorge.no

Photo credits

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