Audi will update its models built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) at the beginning of the new model year. New features will be available for the A5, Q5, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron series, with sales of the updated models expected to commence in mid-December.
Audi Chief Technical Officer Geoffrey Bouquot said, “With the new model year, we will enhance important model series and offer our customers a range of new features.” These updates demonstrate the future of the PPE platform for electric models and the PPC platform for combustion-engine vehicles.
New features will make driving more exciting, intuitive, and efficient through hardware updates, such as new headlights, and software upgrades that include improved driver assistance and entertainment options. Here is a flavour of the changes…
Driving Dynamics: More Excitement and Efficiency
Drivers of the Audi S5 and S6 e-tron can enjoy the new “dynamic plus” drive select mode for a more intense driving experience. This mode improves sporty handling and rear-biased driving dynamics. In the Audi S5, it does so through the standard quattro sport differential, while the Audi S6 e-tron employs the electric quattro all-wheel drive system with brake torque vectoring. The electronic stability control (ESC) also activates sport mode for controlled oversteering.
When drivers activate the dynamic plus mode, the display on the driver information system and head-up display updates. The combustion model shows a central rev counter with a shift light and gear indicator, while the electric model displays a power metre.
Audi is also improving the efficiency of its electric models. They can now come to a complete stop without using conventional friction brakes, resulting in smoother, more comfortable stops. Energy recovered during this process improves efficiency and range.
Driver Assistance: More Safety and Comfort
An upgraded adaptive cruise assist system will be available in several markets. This system maintains the vehicle’s lane when the driver’s hands are on the wheel and assists with highway lane changes. If the driver signals a lane change, the vehicle will assist by steering into the new lane.
In city traffic, better traffic sign recognition improves safety and comfort. The vehicle can adjust its speed based on traffic signs, recognising stop signs, warnings for uneven roads, and right-of-way rules, slowing down as needed.
Audi is also enhancing parking and manoeuvring features within the optional Park Assist Pro package. The reverse assist function guides the steering during reversing for the last 50 metres, making reversing easier, especially on narrow streets. An extra manoeuvre assist feature helps with tight parking situations to prevent damage. The trained parking system can remember five different parking manoeuvres, each up to 200 metres long, and execute them on private property. The new garage parking feature allows parking without passing the space first, requiring Park Assist Pro with remote functionality, which is included in the Tech Pro package for models in the S Vorsprung trim.
Improvements in the Interior
The upgraded model has a new multifunction steering wheel with physical controls replacing some touch-sensitive buttons, making vehicle functions easier to operate. All models now feature a user-friendly interface similar to the Audi Q3 with clearer icons and three display modes for the Audi virtual cockpit: classic, navigation, or driver assist mode. The Audi smartphone interface has improved integration, allowing users to mirror navigation and media functions on the MMI touch display and the Audi virtual cockpit.
Audi Assistant: More Intelligence on the Go
The Audi assistant has been upgraded with AI features, enabling it to access logbook information for detailed vehicle inquiries. With the integration of ChatGPT, users can search for places using descriptive terms rather than specific addresses. The connected in-car office allows access to calendars and emails, and the assistant can perform tasks such as reading or composing emails. It learns user habits to automate routines, such as activating adaptive cruise control on motorways.
An Eye on Everything: Audi Integrates High-Resolution Dashcam
An optional dashcam integrated into the interior mirror records high-resolution 4K videos. With HDR technology, it captures clear footage across a wide range of lighting conditions. Users can easily control the recording via an app. The dashcam features an event function that records 30 seconds before and after incidents and can start automatically during events like emergency braking. All recordings are stored locally on an SD card, including navigation data, speed, and time, and are viewable on the central display.
- This exciting news gives a flavour of the many changes that will be on the new 2026 Audi model lineup. But to review in much more detail, you can visit the Audi UK website here: http://www.audi.co.uk/
Key Points…
- Updated Models with New Features: Audi’s upcoming model year will introduce updates to the A5, Q5, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron series, with sales beginning in mid-December, including both hardware and software enhancements.
- Enhanced Driving Dynamics and Efficiency: New drive modes like ‘dynamic plus’ improve handling and sporty driving, while electric models now feature smoother stops and increased energy recovery to boost efficiency and range.
- Improved Driver Assistance Systems: Upgraded systems such as adaptive cruise assist, traffic sign recognition, and advanced parking features are designed to enhance safety, comfort, and ease of maneuvering.
- Interior and Interface Upgrades: The interior now features a multifunction steering wheel with physical controls, a clearer virtual cockpit interface, and improved smartphone integration for a more user-friendly experience.
- Smart Technology and Safety Features: Innovations include an AI-enhanced Audi Assistant with ChatGPT integration and a high-resolution 4K dashcam, providing advanced voice control, vehicle monitoring, and safety recording capabilities.
