The A2 was produced at Audi's "aluminium" Neckarsulm plant in Germany on a special line purpose-built for it.

[1] It was the first five-door vehicle on sale in Europe with an average fuel consumption less than 3 litres per 100 kilometres (94.2 mpg‑imp; 78.4 mpg‑US), although these figures only applied to the special "3L" version with a diesel engine, automatic gearbox, stop-start system, less power and narrower tyres.

This version of the Audi A2 won the "Nordic Eco Run" fuel economy race in 2003, with a consumption of 2.62 L/100 km (107.8 mpg‑imp; 89.8 mpg‑US).

The outer panels of the body have little or no structural function – similarities exist with the original Renault Espace – and the space frame bears the forces working on the car.

Improvements in shell stability, durability and stiffness, lower weight, and more interior space are results of its construction.

[9] Unfortunately, the cost of working with aluminium, particularly with small production runs, meant that the A2 was more expensive than other cars in its sector, competing with the A-class and losing.

The same article quotes the sales figures for 2002 as being 20,000 in Germany against 80,000 for the A-Class and "...lots of money for a car that is only 3.8m long.

"[11] Audi was the first manufacturer to try to incorporate lightweight building concepts using aluminium and associated alloys into a "mass market" vehicle.

Due to the "sandwich"-type construction, similar again to that of the Renault Espace or the Mercedes A-Class, the floorpan has an upper and a lower portion.

[citation needed] In both the UK and Europe, there were several choices of seat material and colour, comprising the standard Cirrus cloth, optional Matrix cloth, optional Alcantara/leather, or full pearl Nappa leather seat coverings.

On early cars, this was a glossy black panel at the lower edge of the bonnet, where the radiator grille would normally be sited.

It was changed to matte black for the "color.storm" colour schemes, and for model year 2004 it acquired fake grille slats.

Upon arrival, Rainer Bruederle, Germany's Economics Minister, called the test drive a "world record.

[17] The Audi A2 1.2 TDI had the lowest drag coefficient of any car in the world at the time of its launch.

The Audi A2 3L reuses the engine and special gearbox developed for the equally efficient Volkswagen Lupo 1.2 TDI 3L.

[citation needed] Both versions had thinner glass, lighter seats,[19] and 14" magnesium alloy wheels.

When engaged it limited the power to 41 bhp (31 kW; 42 PS) (excluding kick down) and programmed the transmission to change up at the most economical point.

The superstructure made largely from aluminium, additional parts in Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer, and other construction techniques restrain the weight to only 1,150 kg.