A22000–2005

The A2 was one of Audi's boldest experiments: a small five-door built around an aluminium spaceframe, launched at the turn of the millennium with an obsessive focus on weight and efficiency. Its tall, aerodynamic body gave supermini footprint with near-compact interior space, and the economy-special diesel versions achieved consumption figures that remain impressive today. It cost too much to build, sold below hopes, and was axed in 2005 — a commercial failure that has since become a design-classic calling card.

The A2 now enjoys a devoted following, with enthusiasts prizing its rust-proof structure and engineering purity. Ownership quirks are real: aluminium repairs need specialist skills, some model-specific parts are getting scarce, and the space-saving service hatch reflects design priorities of its time. But the mechanicals are proven VW-group fare, and well-kept cars are famously long-lived. It is a left-field future classic with substance behind the styling.