Audi is going through some major changes lately. As it restructures its entire model naming convention, two models will not be making the transition into the German automakers future lineup.
Specifically, the Audi A7 and S7 models will be discontinued for sale in the North American market, according to a statement provided to Road & Track by an Audi spokesperson. Only the RS7 variant will carry over for the 2026 model year, while the A7 and S7 will be replaced by the A6 sedan.
"There is no 2026 Model Year A7 or S7 as the model shifts to the new A6 TFSI coming later this year," a statement from the Audi spokesperson reads.
There has been some confusion about the incoming 2026 model year Audi lineup, as certain models will sold under the same nameplate in gasoline-powered and battery-powered form. The A6 will be one of these models, as Audi offers a gas-powered A6 TFSI version as well as an A6 e-tron variant. The A6 e-tron holds onto that characteristic sportback style, meaning that the departure of the A7 and S7 do not signal the end of the aerodynamically-advantageous design.
It is curious that Audi is choosing to hold onto the RS7 for the 2026 model year, but we're happy to see the 4.0-liter V-8-powered model stick around. Twin-turbochargers help the RS7 pump out 621 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, meaning that the executive sportback sedan is certainly no slouch.
The Audi A7 series has had a relatively strong year, with a 48% rise in year-over-year sales through the first half of the year. This comes after Audi reported a 13% decline in sales for 2024.The bizarre increase in sales may have something to do with a rush of pre-tariff purchases. Audi doesn't currently manufacturer any models in the U.S. and briefly paused importing models into the U.S. during the onset of the trade war.
The departure of the A7 and S7 is another example of a story that we are all too familiar with. Slow sales of sedans and hatchbacks give way to ever-popular crossovers and SUVs in the current automotive market and brands like Audi have a hard time justifying the production of another sedan line. That tension increases when annual U.S. sales of the A7 series total out to just 1574 units in 2024. In any case, Audi is one manufacturer that remains committed to the sedan shape, even if it has killed off the A7 and A4 models.
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