06 Jul 2004 | Mark said...

If there is such a thing as a killer ap for cars, that pullout service tray from the grill has got to be it.

Very cool.

06 Jul 2004 | Urbanchords said...

What ever! Schwarzenegger's Green Hummer would drive right over that car.

Ok, actually I think this is absurd. It still only gets 18 mile per gallon.

06 Jul 2004 | Jeff Croft said...

The A2 is one of many very cool cars under the VW line that isn't available in the US (I really like the VW Polo, myself). VW believes the A2 would not sell in the US, as US customers tend to have an aversion to hatchbacks, less interest in gas mileage, and a general preference for muscle over design.

06 Jul 2004 | Eric said...

It doesn't seem to far out of the realm of possibility. The profile kinda looks like a chubby Prius.

06 Jul 2004 | Darrel said...

"VW believes the A2 would not sell in the US, as US customers tend to have an aversion to hatchbacks, less interest in gas mileage, and a general preference for muscle over design."

You hear this a lot fromt he auto firms. "Amercians want bigger cars and don't care about mileage". That was the big detterrent for bringing over the SmartCar.

Well, supposedly the SmartCar is finally coming, but will be a bigger, 4-door version.

There seems to be a demant for small, highly efficient cars (especially if they are affordable.)

The Mini has shown that there is a definite want for small cars. The Subaru Outback and Forrester show there is a clear demand for hatchbacks. And who WOULDN'T be against better MPG?

06 Jul 2004 | Brad Hurley said...

VW believes the A2 would not sell in the US, as US customers tend to have an aversion to hatchbacks, less interest in gas mileage, and a general preference for muscle over design.

Fine. How about bringing it to Canada instead?

The Toyota Echo hatchback is selling like hotcakes here, at least given the large number of them I see on the streets of Montreal. I don't think we have any aversion to hatchbacks, and fuel economy is definitely a selling point.

06 Jul 2004 | Ed F. said...

i love audis/vws but the VW corporate people are a little bass-ackwards. they say that americans won't buy the A2/polo in contrast to all the minis and golf/gtis being sold and then they turn around and release the vw phaeton. a car that if it actually starts to sell (which i'm not too sure it will), clearly intends to steal market share from audi. it's as if toyota releases a 75k car that competes directly with Lexus' high-end cars. to top it off both BMW and Mercedes are coming with compacts. and then VW corporate turns around and says they have no plans to build electric cars for vw or audi.

talk about muddled business plans.

06 Jul 2004 | Michael said...

I just bought a new A2 and will get it on Thursday. Currently I drive an A3, which is now 8 years old, but still in perfect fit. If you want to know why I switch. The insurance is too expensive for me and my sister needs a car.

There are many reasons why I chose the A2. First, it's not a car, it's a concept of how to build a safe, user friendly (the tray!), but still convenient car with major usage in cities. Another reason is the fuel consumption of about 4.3 liters per 100 km. (I don't know the calculation here).

Greetings from Germany. Michael

06 Jul 2004 | Matt said...

Actually, BMW is not bringing their new hatchback to the US for the same reasons.

06 Jul 2004 | LNJ said...

Besides it not being able to sell a hatch (I think Hundia and Honda with the Accent and Civic 3 door models proved that wrong) in the US, I would be concerned about driving a light weight all aluminium car. I have a hard enough time with my Accent (I drive a Hundia and get 41 MPG) in high winds. Cut the weight of my car and I wouldnt be alble to control it in high winds.

The main difference between US drivers and Euro drivers, from what I understand, is that US drivers drive anywhere and everwhere; while Euros drive mainly in city.

I live in CA. I drive a lot for my job. I drive long stretch up hills and with wind. Some days I have to fight my car to keep it from swerving. What would I do in a lighter car?

I would love to get 60 MPG, but if I could do it in a Civic hybrid, or the Prius... why not? Why risk safty just for a car I could recycle when done with it?

Just my thoughts.

06 Jul 2004 | Matt said...

I've always wondered why the A3 wasn't sold in the US. I figured Audi wanted to maintain themselves as a luxury brand that doesn't sell cars for less than $25k.

Actually, I've heard from european friends that pretty much every brand that is seen as a european luxury line here (volvo, saab, audi, etc) sell cheaper versions across the pond that don't come with automatic transmissions or leather seats and sell for many thousands less than the brands' entry level models here.

06 Jul 2004 | JF said...

Does anyone know if it's possible to import an A2? Would it be street legal in the US?

06 Jul 2004 | LNJ said...

Sorry, I knew I spelled it incorrectly...
Hyundai, Hyundai, Hyundai...
I have enough trouble spelling in English, let alone Korean.

06 Jul 2004 | stp said...

VW can't sell hatchbacks in the US? Then what's that GTI thingy sitting out there in my driveway? Looks like a VW hatchback to me....

06 Jul 2004 | jupiter said...

As far as I know Audi is going to discontinue the A2 because sales in Europe do not meet expectations.

I drove it once and found that the only thing special on the A2 ist it's pricetag.

When my father in law came to visit us and rented one at the airport, he said this car would be a insult for any German Autobahn...

06 Jul 2004 | donkey said...

That BMW 1 series is a fine looking car! Too bad I will never see it... I need a new car soon.

06 Jul 2004 | Brad Hurley said...

I have a hard enough time with my Accent (I drive a Hundia and get 41 MPG) in high winds. Cut the weight of my car and I wouldnt be alble to control it in high winds.

You know, I never used to think light weight was a serious concern, but I've noticed the Hyundai Accent's instability in winds too. I recently rented a Ford Freestar mini-van and drove it through a wild thunderstorm with powerful winds; the vehicle was rock solid and stuck to the road like it was glued there. Very impressive. The downside was spending $150 on gasoline over three days.

N.B. An aluminum body doesn't necessary equate to a light car. The original Land Rovers had aluminum bodies but the vehicle itself was quite heavy.

06 Jul 2004 | brian said...

actually you can import them, a relative of mine owns several audi/vw dealerships in central america and said you could import one from there (they get the same euro models). but it would cost you $1000 to ship it, and then another couple thousand to make it compatible w/US emissions.

06 Jul 2004 | Mike P. said...

Heh, tell you what, you buy one and I'll look after it. When you want to drive it, fly here to Spain, and I'll be sure to have it cleaned up for ya... ;-]

06 Jul 2004 | Darrel said...

Er...my last post was a bit random in it's wording.

My question: is there a 'real' aversion to small, efficient cars in the US, or is this merely lazy/greedy auto manufacturers attempting to convince us that we DO all want giant green hummers?

06 Jul 2004 | One of several Steves said...

The A2 is a *small* car. As many noted, it's based on the Polo, which is noticeably smaller than the Golf.

And, from what I saw of it running around the roads when I lived in Munich a few years back, this car is much, much, much uglier than it photographs. I like most of Audi's design, and adore the A3 and would seriously consider one were it on sale here in the States, but the A2 was to my eyes awful. Especially in the rear. It looked to me like they started engineering the car from the front, hit a point where they ran out of budget and said "OK, that's all we can do. Cap the ass end off and call it a day."

BTW, Jason, you can import any car you want into the U.S. But, if they don't build a U.S.-specific version, you're going to have to pay to convert it to U.S. standards. The main areas are in emissions and safety. The Navy has a handy guide for vehicle importation that also provides links to specific safety and emissions conversions that would be needed, customs issues, etc.

06 Jul 2004 | JF said...

The New A3 is planned for release in the US in 2005.

06 Jul 2004 | Don Schenck said...

There are Audis that are not ugly?

Wow ... I never knew.

06 Jul 2004 | One of several Steves said...

Yeah, I know the A3 was going to be sold in the States. Couldn't remeber when. Thanks for the reminder.

By the way, word is BMW will sell one of the variants of the 1 Series in the States, but not the 3- or 5-door version, but probably as a 2 Series (same car, but coupe, under the new numbering scheme where 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 are essentially the same vehicles but sedan/coupe versions, respectively).

06 Jul 2004 | chris said...

LNJ, the A2 is an audi, it handles a lot different than you might expect from a small american car (=this is not a geo). still, it is meant as a rather city-oriented car. the A3 on the other hand, a car I used to drive when I was living in germany, is one fun car, no matter what mountains you'd want to take it up onto. IMHO, it handles better than a gold gti if you get a nice engine.

there is the possibility of importing the A3 from mexico, where it is on sale for (I think) around 24k. (you might want to check the local website) but then again, why would you if the new one is coming out here anyway.

chris,
a german in la.

06 Jul 2004 | LNJ said...

Chris-

Thanks for the insight, bro. I still like my Hyundai. As I said, 41 MPG, 3 dr., zippy little car. A bit on the light side, but I love my car.

From what I read on the A2, it is a lightweight car, and that is a selling point. My car is light enough, thank you. Besides, I go from N. Bay to S. San Jo for my commute and occationally trip down to see friends in SLO (San Luis Obispo) and Pismo Beach. Lotta open road there and some gusty winds some days. A light car wouldn't really suit my purpose and I get KILLER milage in my "ride". All for 9k with a 100k mile warrenty. That is a GOOD deal, any way you cut it.

The other good news with my little bomber, is that I have 46k miles on it (It's an '01) and it's still worth about 2800 in resell. For the price I paid, that is NICE.

So... I guess that the A2 is a neat concept, but I can see and understand why it is not an American car.

Jebus... I rant so I am? I am so I rant? Sry for getting long winded.

06 Jul 2004 | chris said...

I hear you. 41mpg is definetely not wrong.
funny actually how people here complain about gas prices. in europe, I paid (this is quite a task to convert from liters and euros, so I'll estimate here) $7/gallon. every time I fill up, I almost want to jump of joy here...

06 Jul 2004 | LNJ said...

You gotta admit, Chris, that public transit in Euro is also better/cheaper than here in the US.

07 Jul 2004 | chris said...

oh, no doubt. I live in LA. still, what I'm trying to get across is that an audi, even an A2, is nothing like what one here might assume a small car would be like based on us manufactors vehicles of equal size.

07 Jul 2004 | Matthew Oliphant said...

Volvo used to (still does?) have a service where you could buy a car direct in Sweden, fly over, drive around Europe (or where ever) in your new car, take it back to the factory and they would take care of shipping it to the US.

Perhaps Audi/VW can do this too? Make a business trip (vacation) out of it.

07 Jul 2004 | Ray said...

Oddly enough the 3rd photo on the home page was taken here in Los Angeles at the Sepulveda basin. this has been used many times in movies and TV a few examples... Gattaca, the Italian Job, even a recent Chrysler commercial.

photo...

07 Jul 2004 | Michael Fivis said...

Matthew, yes. European delivery its generally called. Mercedes does this, Saab does this, and THINK audi does it.

I really didn't understand the phaeton. What good could possibly come of it.

07 Jul 2004 | Bruno Figueiredo said...

Actually, price per gallon in Europe is now about $4.80 per gallon (regular). Premium is 5% more or $5.20. There is no country in Europe where you pay $7 per gallon. At least not yet.

I have a Polo and I love it. In Europe we have city cars like those you discuss here, but we have smaller engines than the ones you can find there. Typically a Polo here as a 1.2 litre engine, and a Golf 1.4. But there are many cars on 1.0 litre engines.

Heck, we have ultra-compact city cars, like the Smart with just 0.6 litre engines. That's gasoline AND diesel engines on 0.6 litres. Diesel is all the rage in Europe. Maybe because fuel is about 30% cheaper and Disesel engines also run on less.

Tax prices on petrol products in Europe are insane. For every litre of petrol sold, 60% is taxes.

07 Jul 2004 | Michael Spina said...

The Navy has a handy guide for vehicle importation

Thanks for the link now I can import my Tuscan...some day.

07 Jul 2004 | Don Schenck said...

The A2 looks like a smaller Aztek.

07 Jul 2004 | One of several Steves said...

Oddly enough the 3rd photo on the home page was taken here in Los Angeles at the Sepulveda basin. this has been used many times in movies and TV a few examples... Gattaca, the Italian Job, even a recent Chrysler commercial.

And I think the second photo is somewhere in LA too. It reminds me of the North Hollywood Metro station, but I'm not positive.

It's not uncommon for Europe-only cars to be photographed and filmed here in LA. When I was vacationing in the UK last year, I saw a commercial for a brand that's not sold in the States (can't remember for sure which one; I want to say Vauxhall) that was filmed on the same stretch of Grand - and by the Westin Bonaventure and the 110 - that seemingly every car commercial is shot on.

07 Jul 2004 | Steve said...

This car is apparently under consideration (among other cool rides) for Canada and is being reviewed by Transport Canada. Or was back in 2002. No idea what happened because we're still waiting.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/cml/tiny.htm

08 Jul 2004 | chris said...

european delivery is also available for all porsche models.

10 Jul 2004 | Miles said...

"Volvo used to (still does?) have a service where you could buy a car direct in Sweden, fly over, drive around Europe (or where ever) in your new car, take it back to the factory and they would take care of shipping it to the US."

VW have been doing this since the sixties and I'm pretty sure Audi do too :)

10 Jul 2004 | Stewart Vardaman said...

Cripes...I've wanted the Lotus Elise to come to America since the 80's. That's just the way things are.

12 Jul 2004 | One of several Steves said...

Stewart, the Lotus Elise *is* coming to the States. Already here, in fact, with a Toyota engine and a few other modifications to make it legal for the U.S. The mods made it a little heavier, but it's still under 2000 pounds.

Car and Driver recently gave it first place in a comparison test with the Honda S2000, the Mazdaspeed Miata, and a couple kit cars.

26 Jul 2004 | W.Bowman said...

Boy, some points to address here!

As someone who has spent time in the US and live in UK.
we currently pay 85 pence per litre, which, given the exchange rate IS $7.19 per gallon - FACT

American cars are built for long haul comfort, even US versions of European makes have their suspension settings re-tuned for the US market for softer springing. This is the reason the Hyundai feels more unstable in cross-winds, not due to it's weight. Hyundais aren't really in the same league as the Audi. Despite it's size, the A2 really is a quality vehicle.

Europeans are also more demanding from a handling point of view, I drive a Diesel Landrover Discovery covering 20,000 miles per year. I daily drive this vehicle at over 75mph on narrow country roads.

Making comparisons with any small car currently available in the US and the A2 is not going to produce a meaningful result, unless you compare it with the Lotus Elise (also made of aluminium - note the spelling)

I too drove, among others, a Geo Metro. Soft springing, a power-sapping auto box, and a gutless engine, but you can still get over 85mph out of it. (apologies to the NJ State Troopers) The euro equivalent is the Suzuki swift, which is a whole lot more entertaining. Same car, but no comparison.

The A2 does over 100mph, in 1.2 form does nearly 100mpg, has traction control, fantastic styling (you guys had the Edsel), and kicks a** in the biggest way.

When you are paying $7 per gallon for fuel, maybe Audi will let you make A2's under licence in the US........drive one, feel the difference in your wallet, then comment.

It really is an important car, and should be taken very seriously. This is the future of motoring. Excellent mpg, and re-cyclable aluminium, which, incidently requires less energy to produce the car too.

;-)