Time for yet another entry in Chopping Block, our non-exhaustive journal of discontinued cars. It鈥檚 a list that, unfortunately, keeps growing as more nameplates, passenger cars mostly, are retired. Today, it鈥檚 Audi鈥檚 turn, as it recently confirmed the mid-size A7 and S7 liftback sedans will not return in 2026. However, the RS 7 Performance will return to the lineup for the U.S. and Canada, but its long-term future is unclear.
The current second gen A7 / S7 have been around since 2018, but its sales volume has been shrinking. U.S. sales were just 1,574 units in 2024, which marked a 13 percent decline versus 2023. Its fortunes this year, at least through the end of Q2 (June 30), have been better with 1,094 units sold (48 percent increase). We鈥檒l note Audi of America groups all A7 sales together so we鈥檙e not sure what the breakdown is for each model, including the RS 7.
Despite the sales rebound, Audi chose to pull the plug. In a recent press release, it said the following:
鈥淲ith the upcoming all-new A6 sedan debuting later this year to further represent Audi in the mid-size segment, the 2026 A7 model line will be embodied solely by the RS 7 Performance. The 2026 RS 7 Performance carries over essentially unchanged, except for the addition of available blue painted brake calipers.鈥�
This is great news, as the RS 7 Performance is dripping in go-fastness. Powered by Audi鈥檚 venerable 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (shared with the RS 6 Avant Performance) that produces 621 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet of torque, this sleek sedan has a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. Equipped with an 8-speed automatic and Audi鈥檚 quattro all-wheel drive, the RS 7 performance comes fully loaded. Base MSRP for 2026 is $132,700 in the U.S., and $161,188 in Canada.
With a new A6 sedan on the horizon, it seems the RS 6 and RS 7 may not be around for much longer. Whether an all-new RS 6 Avant will succeed the current car is uncertain. Same goes for a next gen A7, although if the decision is based in part on current gen sales, we probably shouldn鈥檛 get our hopes up. U.S. sales for the outgoing A6 are down 48 percent through Q2.
We鈥檒l also note Audi has not introduced a next gen RS 5 alongside the new A5, which went on sale earlier this year. High-performance variants often trial the debut of core models, however, so we鈥檙e not yet giving up hope for a new RS 5.
While the departure of the Audi A7 and S7 is disappointing, the Four Rings remain committed to sedans, at least in the short term, and that鈥檚 a good thing. Plus, we still have four RS cars in North America (RS 3, RS 6, RS 7, and RS Q8) and more could arrive in the future. We remain hopeful.
Photos courtesy of Audi of America
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