In the world of electric vehicles, you typically have to choose: affordable but with a range that makes you nervous, or long-legged but with a price tag that makes your wallet weep. Audi, apparently, missed that memo. The German automaker's new A2 E-tron compact crossover starts at just £32,200 (about $45,000) and, with the right configuration, can travel up to 401 miles on the European WLTP cycle. It's a rare combination that might make other automakers ask, 'Wait, you can do both?'

The A2 E-tron is efficient in the way that only a slippery car can be. With a drag coefficient of 0.24 - a first for Audi - it slices through the air thanks to flush door handles, cool air intakes, a fully enclosed underbody, and gap reducers around the wheel arches. It also debuts bidirectional charging, allowing owners to power their camping gear via a trunk outlet or even their home with a compatible DC wall box. Because nothing says 'outdoorsy' like plugging your toaster into your car.

When configured with the right motor and battery, the A2 E-tron sips just 12.8 kWh per 62 miles (100 km), while the range-topping version manages up to 401 miles (645 km). Inside, drivers are greeted by a curved MMI panoramic display that merges an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster with a 12.8-inch center touch screen. And for those who love clutter, there's a Fidlock magnetic fastening system, borrowed from the cycling world, that lets you click cupholders and charging cable bags into place around the cabin and trunk. It's the first time this tech appears in a production car, proving that bike bottle holders can aspire to greater things.

Unfortunately for our American readers, this rear-wheel drive marvel is Europe-only for now. Audi, which recently abandoned its all-EV pledge in favor of a mix of gas, hybrid, and electric, might eventually see the light - or perhaps we Yanks will finally pull our heads out of our tailpipes long enough to appreciate a compact, efficient EV with an Audi badge. Until then, we'll just have to admire it from across the pond.