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8 New Enthusiast Cars Getting Killed Off Before the End of 2026

Discontinued EVs are the talk of the industry, but you can’t forget the enthusiast standouts that are nearing their end.

White sports car with tinted windows on concrete near a wide yellow line, with smoke and a person standing nearby.Lexus
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By Gray Van Dyke

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Between the rollback of federal tax incentives and the implementation of foreign tariffs, the EV segment in the United States has all but imploded. It seems like barely a week goes by without another model biting the dust.

As sudden and unexpected as some of these announcements (like the Honda 0 Series) have arrived, such cars are far from the only casualties for the 2026 model year. Predictably, there’s also a glut of performance models getting phased out as part of broader lineup reorganizations.

Some already finished with their production, others ended more in spirit, they’re all nevertheless vehicles that have catered to enthusiasts in one way or another.

Light blue Audi S6 sedan with black roof and red brake calipers parked on asphalt under cloudy sky.
Audi’s S6 will live on exclusively in all-electric e-tron form for 2026.
Audi

Audi S6

Upon the introduction of the new A6 for 2026, Audi made the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 the standard engine option. While it’s a choice that has simplified the lineup, it also means the up-spec S6 is no longer as justified among the gas-powered offerings.

As a result, it’s not returning for this year, per Edmunds. Those who are in search of a more potent A6 experience are now left with a choice between adding the Sport Plus package, moving to the S6 e-tron or saving up for the ever-tempting RS6 Avant.

Matte black BMW convertible sports car with black and silver alloy wheels on a gray and red gradient background.
The brand celebrated the end of Z4 production with an exclusive Final Edition treatment.
BMW

BMW Z4

BMW confirmed the end of the line for its beloved roadster last fall, and we’re now just reaching the close of what was projected to be the final production window.

Thankfully, the brand has given the droptop a suitable sendoff in the form of the ultra-limited Z4 Final Edition. Done up in a handsome mix of black with red accents and exclusive badging, it offered buyers just one option: the choice of an automatic or manual transmission.

Red and blue Cadillac sedans driving on a desert race track under clear sky.
Cadillac’s CT4-V Blackwing is the closest thing America has to a worthy BMW M3 rival.
Cadillac

Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing

Cadillac’s CT4-V Blackwing is another car that’s had the end in sight for a while, but it’s nevertheless a discontinuation that’s worth observing now that it’s finally here.

The brand reportedly closed order books for the entire CT4 lineup in mid-April, and production is slated to wrap up by June of 2026. As the brand is transitioning to an electrified lineup, the 472-horsepower twin-turbo V6 and its Euro-fighting capabilities will be especially missed. 

Blue Kia electric SUV driving on a winding road with green hills and cloudy sky in the background.
The EV6 doesn’t command the same sales as the Ioniq 5, so Kia pulled the GT version from the United States for 2026.
Kia

Kia EV6 GT

Following a downturn in overall EV6 sales amidst a tumultuous electric vehicle market, Kia confirmed to Road & Track earlier this year that the model’s high-performance GT counterpart will be “delayed until further notice.”

While it’s a decision that makes sense from a numbers perspective, it’s nevertheless a shame, as it means that the United States is without one of the brand’s most compelling performance cars. Like the Ioniq 5N, it sports a pair of electric motors that produce up to 641 horsepower in Launch Mode, and it also comes with simulated shifts to make for a more engaging experience.

Front view of a red Lexus car parked on a road with green hills and cloudy sky in the background.
The LC500 has aged gracefully, especially when you consider that it’s been on the market for the better part of the last decade.
Lexus

Lexus LC 500

Much as the LC has aged like fine wine, it’s almost a decade-old car at this point, and Lexus felt that it was time for a curtain call. The brand confirmed earlier this year that the striking coupe and droptop will cease production later in August.

In looks alone, it’s a car that will go missed, but its significance cuts deeper than the metal. As a luxurious tourer with a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, it offered a clear callback to the grandest GTs of old.

Blue Mercedes-Benz AMG sedan parked on a dirt road with rocky hills in the background.
Mercedes-AMG will be ditching the C63’s PHEV setup in favor of a turbocharged six-cylinder.
Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-AMG C63

Many discontinuations on this list are bound to tug at the heart strings because of what they’re doing away with. However, the end of the current Mercedes-AMG C63 is a sign of something better on the horizon.

Following poor reception of the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder PHEV setup, the brand will be returning to a more traditional turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. As such, Mercedes-AMG will be indirectly replacing it with a C53 variant.

Red Tesla Model S driving on a winding forest road with motion blur on the trees and pavement.
Since its debut, the Model S has proven that EVs are just as (if not sometimes more) capable than their gas-powered counterparts.
Tesla

Tesla Model S

With its focus on FSD capabilities and driverless robotaxis, Tesla isn’t a name that’s often bandied around in enthusiast circles. Even still, the discontinuation of the Model S is a big one, as the flagship has served as a standard-bearer for electric performance since its debut.

To commemorate the end of the historic EV’s production, Tesla created an exclusive Signature Edition with a Plaid powertrain, special badging and paint and an extremely limited production quantity.

Matte black Toyota GR Supra sports car with red side mirrors and brake calipers, illuminated headlights, on a dark red and black background.
Toyota marked the end of the MkV Supra with a shadowy Final Edition treatment that brought real improvements inside and out.
Toyota

Toyota GR Supra

In keeping with the timeline of its BMW twin, Toyota’s MkV Supra has also reached the end of the line this year. The Japanese automaker announced in 2025 that it would be stopping production this past March, capping off the run with a similarly shadowy Final Edition variant.

Along with a set of larger front brakes and some choice suspension improvements, it’s a treatment that also brought a reworked steering setup, extra bracing and stylistic touches inside and out. As unfortunate as it’ll be to see this one go, the good news is that Toyota is clearly invested in its enthusiast offerings — a Mk6 Supra is more than likely on the horizon.

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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