Audi S5 & S6 e‑tron: New Tech Innovations, Features and Price

Image: Audi S5 & S6 e‑tron: New Tech Innovations, Features and Price – Performance Comparison and Specifications

Bottom line: Audi has added a suite of high‑tech upgrades for 2026 – Dynamic Plus drift‑mode, Trained Parking, AI‑powered ChatGPT assistance, mood‑lighting scenarios, in‑car gaming and a new regenerative‑brake system – across the S5, S6 e‑tron and other models.

Design & Looks

Audi’s interior now feels like a living room that reacts to the road. The new “mood scenarios” sync ambient lighting, climate, massage seats and even the soundtrack to your speed. When a song’s artwork shows on the screen, the cabin lights change to match, creating a personal concert vibe. The design stays true to Audi’s understated luxury, but the lighting cues give the cabin a fresh personality.

Performance & Mileage

Most of the excitement comes from the Dynamic Plus mode introduced on the S5 and S6 e‑tron. A single press on the infotainment screen shifts torque toward the rear axle, making the car behave like a light‑weight rear‑wheel‑drive drift car. ESC stays active, but in a sport‑tuned setting that lets you hold a gentle over‑steer without losing control. It takes a few aggressive corner entries to feel the difference, but once you get the hang of it the steering response is impressive.

The regenerative‑brake upgrade, nicknamed “Recuperation to Stop,” lets the Q6 e‑tron glide to a full stop using electric braking alone. The result is a smoother, quieter deceleration that reduces the usual SUV‑like rocking.

Engine	Mileage	Price (GBP)	Top Features
3.0 L V6 (S5)	~35 mpg combined	£73,000	Dynamic Plus, sport ESC, rear‑biased torque
Electric (S6 e‑tron)	~420 km WLTP	£89,000	Dynamic Plus, full‑electric drivetrain, advanced regen‑brake
Electric (Q6 e‑tron)	~530 km WLTP	£95,000	Recuperation to Stop, spacious estate, AI‑ChatGPT

Price & Rivals

Pricing sits between the sport‑focused RS3 (£55k) and the ultra‑luxury RS7 (£110k). The S5’s new tech pushes it closer to the RS line in feel, while the S6 e‑tron competes with the Tesla Model S Plaid and Mercedes‑EQE in the premium electric segment. Audi’s rivals are adding similar driver‑assist tools, but the combination of a true drift‑mode and a learning parking assistant (Trained Parking) still feels unique.

FAQ

What is the mileage of the Audi S6 e‑tron? It delivers about 420 km on a single charge under the WLTP cycle.
Is the Dynamic Plus mode safe for everyday driving? Yes, it keeps ESC active in sport mode, so you get extra rear torque without disabling safety systems.
How does Trained Parking work? You drive a desired parking route once, the system records it, then it can repeat the manoeuvre automatically up to 200 m long, and you can store up to five routes.