Ingolstadt, Germany  - Audi is planning to revive its microcar the A2 as a sport model with a high roof to round off the compact A1 and A3 model segments, the German auto magazine Auto Bild reports.

A Sportback version with a longer rear is also being planned for 2014, the magazine said.

An Audi spokesman declined to comment on the Bild report, but Audi CEO Rupert Stadler said earlier: "We are looking at different scenarios including a new A2."

Auto Bild said the new A2 could be fitted with the three-cylinder engine planned for the VW Up! with the choice of either a 1.4-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel motor.

An electric motor fitted to the rear axle would turn it into a four-wheel drive Quattro. In contrast to the original A2 which was built with an aluminium chassis, the new A2 would be built with a mixture of materials including steel, aluminium and plastics.

The A2 made its debut in 1999. However, Audi ceased production in 2005 after relatively poor sales despite its futuristic design and good fuel consumption figures. (dpa)