Hiya, little sister...

For me, the first generation Audi TT was by far the most attractive. Its pretty, very distinctive panel work curves set it aside from virtually all other contemporary and subsequent Audi styling. That is, save for a synergy with its little sister, the A2.

The TT first saw light of day in the spring of 1994 at the Volkswagen Group Design Centre in California, being shown first as a concept car at IAA 1995 (Frankfurt Motor Show). As such, it had California design origins that it shared with the Volkswagen Concept 1 credited to J. Mays and Freeman Thomas. Finalisation of the design into the production model was undertaken by design teams in Germany and production of the first generation TT spanned from late 1998 through to 2006. Overlapping this, the A2 – designed by Luke Donckerwolke, whose portfolio also included several Lamborghini models – debuted at the IAA 1997, with series production spanning between November 1999 and August 2005.

Whilst, in sales terms, the A2 wasn’t one of Audi’s success stories – it is said that Audi lost an estimated £4,000 on every A2 they sold –  it will go down in automotive development history as a bold and innovative series production model. Amazingly, this little Audi combined a five-door hatchback and compact MPV supermini role with that of being a very energy efficient car. With substantial use of light metal construction including aluminium panels and structural members combined with a very low (0.25) drag coefficient body styling and efficient engine options, it rated as an extremely economical car in terms of fuel consumption.

DNA Collectibles 1/18 scale resincast Audi A2 (DNA000071) is offered in a vibrant range of four colours, each in 399 pieces: Imola Yellow, Sprint Blue, Misano Red and, finally, Papaya Orange. I just had to go for the colour to match my TT.

I find DNA Collectibles A2 as delightful as the TT with the added bonus that, together, they make a very attractive display representing a distinct period of Audi production history from the turn of the century. DNA’s decision to focus on Audi’s ‘colour.storm’ option was a good one, as these colour co-ordinated options, which twinned bodywork colours with vibrant upholstery trim, were very much a theme within the Volkswagen-Audi Group at the time. The representation of the ‘colour.storm’ era just adds further reinforcement to the representational importance of DNA Collectibles’ A2.

Whilst it may be taken as read, I will nevertheless say, for the avoidance of doubt, that the authenticity and finish of the interior equals that of the exterior. Both are super. Everything about this A2 model is fabulous, with its crisp resincast mouldings, clean well-defined joints between the high gloss paintwork and extensive dense black trim, combined with a plethora of well-manufactured inset details such as the lamp clusters, it is a must-have.