The Last Big Audi RS Hangs On By The Skin Of Its Teeth

As Audi reinvents its nomenclature, the automaker is slimming down its lineup. The two most recent victims, the A7 and sportier S7, won't make it to 2026. However, the hi-po Audi RS7 manages to survive. According to an Audi spokesperson, the sedans will no longer be sold in the North American market.

Audi Gives The A7 And S7 The Axe

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Audi confirmed to AutoBlog the models won't live to see 2026, and will instead be replaced by the A6 model line: "There are no 2026 Model Year A7 or S7 being offered as production shifts to the new A6 TFSI coming later this year. The RS 7 will continue for the 2026MY."

Audi will offer the A7 in two flavors: a gas-powered model and a battery-powered model. The former will be called the A6 TFSI (after the technology Audi employs in its engines) and the latter will use the brand's e-tron moniker. The e-tron will look similar to the outgoing A7 with its sportback design.

Somehow, The RS7 Survives

The Audi RS7 and its monstrous 621-horsepower twin-turbo V8 survive for at least one more year. Audi's RS7 is mechanically identical to the RS6 Avant it shares a platform with, and the latest models are arguably at their peak. A new Performance trim (the only way to have the RS7) means a power bump from 591 hp, as well as a retuned all-wheel drive system that helps the big luxury sports sedan feel a little more athletic.

There's no telling what'll happen to both the RS6 and RS7's V8. Audi is now relying on a multi-energy approach (read: "we're still selling cars with big engines after everyone stopped ordering EVs"), and that means the V8 could stick around. However, Audi is also restructuring things, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the RS6 and 7 become one, with a wagon variant sold Stateside. As for what'd be under the hood, we'll have to wait and see.