Audi A2

Audi A2: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Audi A2 range covered one generation, produced from November 1999 through August 2005 as a Hatchback 5-door. Its six listed versions share FWD, a front transverse engine, a 5-speed gearbox, a 42-liter fuel tank, and 110 mm of ground clearance.

The Audi A2 range covered one generation, produced from November 1999 through August 2005 as a Hatchback 5-door. Its six listed versions share FWD, a front transverse engine, a 5-speed gearbox, a 42-liter fuel tank, and 110 mm of ground clearance. The main buying decision is therefore between economy and performance: the 1.2 DSG and 1.2 MT use the least fuel at 2.99 L/100 km combined, while the 1.6 MT is the quickest and most powerful at 115 hp, 9.8 seconds from 0–100 km/h, and 202 km/h.

Audi A2 generations and versions

The 1 generation ran from November 1999 to August 2005 and consisted of six versions, all with the Hatchback 5-door body. There is no second generation or restyling listed in the supplied data, so comparisons between generations are not possible. The meaningful comparison is among the six powertrain specifications within this single generation.

Three version names occur more than once. The 1.2 DSG and 1.2 MT both produce 61 hp. Three entries are called 1.4 MT: a 75 hp Diesel, a 90 hp Diesel, and a 75 hp Gasoline version. Power and fuel type are therefore essential when distinguishing the identically named 1.4 MT variants.

Audi A2 engine specs and version comparison

The two 1.2 versions have identical engine output: 61 hp at 4,000 rpm and 140 Nm at 1,800 rpm. Their calculated specific output is about 51.2 hp per liter. They differ in transmission rather than recorded performance: 1.2 DSG uses a Robotic gearbox, while 1.2 MT uses a Manual gearbox.

Among the identically named Diesel 1.4 MT versions, the 90 hp specification adds 15 hp and 35 Nm over the 75 hp specification without increasing the 1,422 cc displacement or the stated fuel consumption. Specific output rises from about 52.7 to 63.3 hp per liter. The 90 hp Diesel also has an 18 compression ratio instead of 19.5 and uses rear Disc brakes rather than Drum brakes.

The 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT has 1,390 cc, 126 Nm at 3,800 rpm, Distributed injection (multi-point), and no boost. Its calculated output is about 54.0 hp per liter. Compared with the 75 hp Diesel 1.4 MT, it matches the horsepower but has 69 Nm less torque and delivers its peak torque 1,600 rpm later.

The 1.6 MT is the most powerful engine option. Its 1,598 cc Gasoline engine produces 115 hp at 5,800 rpm and 155 Nm at 4,500 rpm, uses Direct injection (direct), and has no boost. Its calculated specific output is about 72.0 hp per liter, the highest figure in this range.

Audi A2 performance and mpg-equivalent consumption

For minimum recorded consumption, choose either 1.2 DSG or 1.2 MT. Both use 1.31 L/100 km less combined fuel than either Diesel 1.4 MT and 3.01 L/100 km less than the 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT. There is no performance difference in the supplied figures, so the gearbox is the deciding specification between them.

The 90 hp Diesel 1.4 MT offers the strongest numerical balance. Compared with the 75 hp Diesel 1.4 MT, it reaches 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner and has a 15 km/h higher top speed, yet both record 5.6 L/100 km city, 3.5 L/100 km highway, and 4.3 L/100 km combined.

The 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT reaches 100 km/h 0.6 seconds sooner than the 75 hp Diesel 1.4 MT and has the same 173 km/h top speed. However, its combined consumption is 1.7 L/100 km higher. Between the Gasoline versions, the 1.6 MT is 2.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 29 km/h faster at maximum speed than the 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT, while using 0.1 L/100 km less combined fuel in the supplied measurements.

CO₂ output is not measured for any version. Environmental class is not measured for any version.

Audi A2 weight, ground clearance, tank, and wheel specs

The lightest version is the 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT at 895 kg. It is 35 kg lighter than either 1.2 version and 135 kg lighter than the 90 hp Diesel 1.4 MT, the heaviest listed version. The 1.6 MT has the best calculated weight-to-power result at about 8.65 kg per hp, while the two 1.2 versions have the highest figure at about 15.25 kg per hp.

Vehicle dimensions, length, and weight distribution are not measured in the supplied data. Wheel sizes are also not measured for any version. All versions have independent spring front suspension, dependent spring rear suspension, and ventilated disc front brakes. Rear brakes are Drum on both 1.2 versions, the 75 hp Diesel 1.4 MT, and the 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT; they are Disc on the 90 hp Diesel 1.4 MT and 1.6 MT.

Which Audi A2 version should you buy?

Choose the 1.2 DSG if the lowest recorded fuel consumption is the priority and you want the Robotic gearbox. Choose the 1.2 MT for exactly the same stated power, torque, acceleration, speed, consumption, and weight with a Manual gearbox.

Choose the 90 hp Diesel 1.4 MT for the strongest economy-to-performance compromise. It gains 15 hp and 35 Nm over the 75 hp Diesel 1.4 MT, cuts 1.7 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time, and raises top speed by 15 km/h without changing the recorded consumption. Its 230 Nm is also the highest torque figure in the range.

Choose the 75 hp Gasoline 1.4 MT if minimum kerb weight matters most. At 895 kg, it is the lightest listed A2, although its 6 L/100 km combined consumption is higher than every Diesel version.

Choose the 1.6 MT if outright performance matters most. It has 25 hp more than the 90 hp Diesel, reaches 100 km/h 1.1 seconds sooner, and adds 14 km/h to the top speed. It also has the best calculated weight per horsepower, at about 8.65 kg/hp. Prices, cars for sale, reliability, maintenance problems, engine swaps, and the cost difference between versions are not measured, so those points cannot be used to make a factual recommendation from this dataset.