It was only some time after I ordered  this A3 that I found out that it's a “mild hybrid”. Why was Audi so coy about it? I did wonder if there was an insurance impact but an AI search suggests this is negligible. Why not boast about the improvement in fuel consumption (if nothing else)?  Perhaps it's posts like this:

I'm not yet a fan of the electric-only running function but it operates seamlessly and it certainly improves consumption compared to my previous 1000cc A1. 

The above posts are about 2 years old.  I wonder if they've cracked the alternator issue, but some of the more recent posts suggest that's not the only one.  Perhaps this answers my original question?

You bought a new car without knowing how it is powered?

See my original post.  I was buying a 1.5 litre petrol-engined Audi.  No information on the website or brochure about the mild hybrid details, nothing from the salesperson.  As far as I was concerned, I was buying just a bigger, more powerful version of my last Audi.  I can't even remember how I came to know about it, but it wa too late to do anything about it.

Would I have walked away if I'd known?  Not sure.  There wasn't another candidate in the frame at the time or since.

1 hour ago, PRSY said:

See my original post. 

I did, and in you wrote "It was only some time after I ordered  this A3 that I found out that it's a “mild hybrid”. So, do you have a mild hybrid or a petrol engine?

See my original post.  I was buying a 1.5 litre petrol-engined Audi.  No information on the website or brochure about the mild hybrid details, nothing from the salesperson.  As far as I was concerned, I was buying just a bigger, more powerful version of my last Audi.  I can't even remember how I came to know about it, but it wa too late to do anything about it.

Would I have walked away if I'd known?  Not sure.  There wasn't another candidate in the frame at the time or since.

How do I get rid of that last entry, added by mistake?

As for

37 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

So, do you have a mild hybrid or a petrol engine?

It's a petrol engine, of course, with mild hybrid assistance.

Just leave it as is Ian, it’s fine. 

It’s fine, Magnet. Overall, a comfortable, smooth drive with nice tech. 

My original post asked why Audi is/was so coy about the mild hybrid features on the new A3.  It seems to me, reading the reports of electrical issues, esp. 48V systems, it appears they don't want to draw attention to the feature.  Am I wrong?

For what it’s worth Ian, no one is 100% right or wrong, it’s just an opinion/suggestion. 

Hi all,

 

Service visit completed.  Results:

My translation: There are a lot of pieces of tech that need to talk to each other all the time.  One of them stuttered.  IF it happens again, I'll try to remember to check messages before I switch off the engine, if feasible.  This post can now be closed?

On 9/9/2025 at 3:20 PM, PRSY said:

My original post asked why Audi is/was so coy about the mild hybrid features on the new A3.  It seems to me, reading the reports of electrical issues, esp. 48V systems, it appears they don't want to draw attention to the feature.  Am I wrong?

I’m about to test drive , then order the very same car. I asked the salesman to confirm it wasn’t a mild hybrid, as I too found no reference to a yes or no on the Audi website, he says it’s not, but i suspect it will be.

I am trying to avoid any unnecessary complications with my next car purchase, I simply want a basic petrol engine.

If it’s mild hybrid, will it put me off, it might do, as I’ve read quite a few bad reports on its reliability. And yes, I understand we usually only see the bad, but still ….

I can't see them making more models than necessary, so expect the car to be like mine, mild hybrid. Still curious as to why they don't publicise it.

It certainly improves fuel consumption (and maybe performance). This car's 200kg! heavier than my last one, an A1, has the 1.5 litre engine, not the 1.0, but is better on fuel economy.

Don't expect brilliant low speed economy, though. On in-town trips, lucky to get 30mpg. On long, motoreway trips, close to 60mpg. Cumulative average (only 3350 miles on the clock) is around 38-40mpg. Thre's plenty of text on the topic in the online manual.

The electric-only operation is seamless. Just ease off the throttle and engine speed drops to nothing and you continue on your way silently. It's not very sophisticated, though. If on a slight incline, the speed gradually drops. Going downhill, it'll gradually accelerates. It sometimes works when in cruise control, but not often.

Driving aids - I use every facility.

Edited March 27Mar 27 by PRSY

How do you find the brakes? Some have reported poor feel at times with a3 hybrids.

Alex if it is hybrid the vehhicle specification will mention a kW figure.

Brakes on mine are fine, but different. Using driver assist, which I think is great (not everybody likes the "loss of control") I use the brakes less than I used to when in traffic or cruising. Approaching a junction or catching another vehicle, the energy recovery system operates first to slow the car before applying the brakes, a bit like the active cruise control works. There's a cockpit screen settng where you can see this happening. I usually only have to use the brakes to come to a stop. Its NOT like adaptive cruise control in that it won't stop you running into the back of another verhicle if you don't take over.

The only downside - when coming to a stop I seem to have to press the pedal harder than previously, as if I'm fighting the electric drive right up to the point of stopping. OK when you get used to it, though.

Overall, very pleasant, relaxing drive, with enough poke from the 1.5litre engine if required.

Edited March 28Mar 28 by PRSY

Being a lazy driver I like the deceleration from electric regeneration in my non Audi car, but it takes a little getting used to not applying the brakes as often as I would in a liquid fuelled car.

That highlights a minor problem in many EVs: the brakes have a greater tendency to suffer from rust because they don't get the usage that would otherwise keep them free in petrol or diesel cars. They never seize of course, but it can lead to some inconsistency in braking effort unless exercised often.