The last we heard about development of a second-generation Audi A2 model was that the project was on hold due to the lack of a suitable platform.

Now it’s been reported that a platform has been found and that the car is on track for a debut in early 2015, more than two years later than originally planned.

Like the previous generation, sold in Europe between 1999 and 2005, the new A2 is thought to be a tallish practical hatch that will sit between the A1 and A3 models in Audi’s lineup. It will also feature aluminum in its construction, but this time only for its body and not its platform as well. In this way Audi will be able to keep the car at a reasonable pricetag, solving one of the biggest issues of its expensive predecessor.

The new platform for the car will reportedly be the low-cost and flexible Modular Querbaukaste (MQB) being developed for the MkVII Volkswagen Golf and destined to spawn a host of other models including the next-generation Audi A3 and now the A2 as well.

Audi is targeting the new BMW i3 with its A2 and thus the car has to remain a technological showpiece. Therefore Audi will offer the A2 with electric and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The electric version should have a range of about 150 miles on a single charge and its motor will output around 75 to 110 horsepower. The plug-in hybrid model will likely feature a downsized three-cylinder engine, either gasoline or diesel, and should offer an electric-only range of about 40 to 60 miles. Note that Audi has ditched the cool Wankel rotary hybrid drivetrain of the original A1 e-tron concept, a vehicle thought to be a preview of the new A2.

The computer generated rendering above gives a good indication as to what the new A2 may look like, revealing a traditional hatchback body with a five-door design.

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