With its aluminium spaceframe construction, oddball styling and clever “sandwich floor” layout, the Audi A2 was a truly innovative and fascinating car.
It never sold especially well largely down to a high list price – a side-effect of its all-aluminium construction - but those who bought one often very quickly fell in love. Here was a car that was supremely well-made, yet at the same time offered miserly fuel economy and low running costs.
Add in a sumptuously well-equipped cabin and the Audi image, which was peerless in the early 2000s for its style and sophistication, and you have a car that for many years was in huge demand as a used motor.
Today, almost a quarter of a century since it debuted, the A2 is a rapidly emerging future classic. Timelessly designed, still well made and protected from the ravages of rot by its aluminium structure, it’s a hardly and well-loved little car with a booming cult following – a design icon of its era and still a great car to own and drive.
This one is definitely future classic material – a 2001 1.4 SE, it had just one owner until last year and is totally unspoilt and original, having covered less than 23,500 miles from new.
The vendor acquired the car last year as he wanted something economical to run alongside his Rolls-Royce and the Audi appealed as he always found the A2 technologically fascinating – but he’s now acquired a new car and the little Audi is surplus to requirements.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
UK V5C
MOT July 2024
All original handbooks
Some service history
Complete service and some maintenance repairs completed in July 2023 at a cost of £500
Some historic repair and service invoices
One previous owner, from 2001 to 2022
MOT history printout
ULEZ and clean air zone compliant
THE INTERIOR
Original grey velour trim in excellent order
Original dealer floor mats
Audi Symphony stereo
Fully working climate control
Excellent stain-free upholstery
Front electric windows
Remote locking
Immaculate load bay with clever “false floor” for added security
Some minor tarnishing to window switches and air con controls
Deterioration to edges of headlining, which has dropped slightly in the corners
Superb leather-rimmed steering wheel
THE EXTERIOR
Innovative aluminium space frame construction with removable clip-on bonnet
Crystal Blue Metallic
Very smart panels with no dents or notable damage
No major or notable marks on body
Appears very good underneath
Original 16-inch factory alloys wit very minor tarnishing (see photos)
All glass and trim in very good condition
Clear, uncloudy headlights
Rear aero boot spoiler
THE MECHANICS
1.4-litre VW Group 4cyl petrol engine
Five-speed manual transmission
Starts and runs well – very quiet
Recent full service
New front brake discs and pads
New coil spring
New battery
Coolant sensor replaced
No known mechanical issues
SUMMARY
The A2 is a fabulously quirky and truly fascinating car, which in this case has the added advantage of VW Group’s doggedly reliable Euro 4 1.4-litre petrol engine, which complies with ULEZ and similar low emissions schemes. With such a low mileage, it should have many years of life left in it and it is presented in truly lovely overall condition. Retrim the headlining and it’ll be as good as it can possibly get.
It’s a superb car in fantastic overall condition and a fabulous choice of frugal, fun and fascinating modern classic.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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