Audi Is Reigniting One of the Biggest Sports Sedan Rivalries for the First Time Since 2010

Audi’s reportedly bringing back one of its signature sport sedans, reviving a classic rivalry that’s been dormant for almost 15 years. According to Britain’s AutoExpress, the Ingolstadt-based automaker is preparing to bless the world with a new RS 6 sedan by either 2026 or 2027.

While Audi does have the RS 6 Avant and the RS 7 four-door coupe, the former Auto Union hasn’t given the world an RS 6 sedan since 2010. It’s only available in wagon form. Not that that’s anything to complain about.

But back then, the RS 6 sedan helped mark one of the peak competitions among the big German auto trifecta.

The return of one of Audi’s greatest sedans

Audi AG

When it comes to Germany’s definitive performance car wars, the battle of its midsize sport sedans is one of the more distinguished. It typically involves the BMW M5, the Mercedes-AMG E-Class and the Audi RS 6.

Ever since the competition began in the 1980s and 1990s, it’s been a fixture of the German auto industry since. But after 2010, Audi interestingly made the RS 6 available as a wagon only. Its direct rivals continued making regular four-door variants.

Audi AG

The reasons for this decision aren’t exactly known. But it’s interestingly benefited Audi by establishing the automaker as a bona fide purveyor of hot high-performance wagons. The latter is a niche in the enthusiast world that’s grown to be one of the most appreciated.

Audi AG

Now, the conventional German midsize performance sedan trifecta is reportedly making a triumphant comeback.

Just a few months ago, Audi announced its plans to pump the brakes on its electrification initiatives to refocus on internal combustion tech. That includes gas-electric hybridization. More specifically in Audi’s case, plug-in hybrids.

Audi AG

Among the changes in strategy was the word that a new RS 5 and RS 6 Avant are in the pipeline. And now, that includes an RS 6 sedan.

The RS 6 will supposedly replace the RS 7

According to AE, the new RS 6 will replace the current RS 7. The latter will end production in the near future and Audi didn’t announce an immediate successor.

Audi AG

We already got confirmation of a new RS 6 Avant after a spy video surfaced, revealing the car’s exhaust note. With a new hot Audi wagon on the way, it doesn’t seem like much of an ask to make a sedan out of it.

And that’s exactly what Audi’s doing, after AE’s spy photographers caught a prototype running around. Although wrapped in the usual test car camouflauge, it was still exposed enough to reveal some important details.

Audi AG

Such includes sporty and aggressive bodywork with massive air intakes, huge wheels and what appears to be carbon-ceramic brakes, and other tell-tale signs of a high-performance machine.

But the biggest telling detail was the lack of a long roof. Although specifics aren’t known, speculation suggests either a V6- or V8-based plug-in hybrid powertrain.

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