Is it possible that Audi used Al/Mg rear axle support for the models that were light on the nose (petrol engine A2's, and steel for the 1.4TDI's ?
If we draw a parallell to the rear crash bar and crash bar brackets, which also seems to follow the same philosophy, they used the heavy parts at those models that were already (very) heavy on the nose, compared to the rear...
If there is a logic explanation to why Audi increased the weight of any part of the A2, it is probably related to safety and not cost...
(Year 2000: to cast/mould that support of alloy in Hungary ready to use, compared to steel in Spain or CZ is no big difference when transport is added to th equation....)
Did Audi engineer the A2 that way to achieve more even weight distribution between front and rear axle?
If yes, that should result in better brake balanse and improved functionality of ESP...
Cheers
dieselfan