Menacing 2026 Audi RS 7 Avant imagined

The next iteration of Audi’s fire-breathing RS 7 has been imagined and if these unofficial images are anything to go by, the new BMW M5 could be in for some sleepless nights ahead.

Depicted here in five-door Avant form, the new-generation 2026 Audi RS 7 will be a monster in every conceivable way as it inherits load-lugging duties from the aging and soon-to-be electric-only RS 6.

Audi is restructuring its naming strategy to have the even-numbered nameplates apply to EVs while the odd numbers will be affixed to internal combustion and hybrid models.

The RS 7 has long been the four-door coupe sibling of the wagon-only RS 6 but all that will change under the new system, and we aren’t bothered by this at all because these unofficial renders of the upcoming flying five-door are breathtaking.

Based on recent spy imagery captured at the Nürburgring, the rendered RS 7 Avant looks every bit the dog-friendly supercar killer it will inevitably be, with an angular new front fascia and headlight combination pairing with aggressive integrated aero features and delicious black accents.

The whole package sits low and wide on the road with a full-width rear lighting signature and double-bubble rear diffuser enhancing the rear-three-quarter view.

Traces of the RS 7’s roots can still be seen, primarily in the roofline – this package is much sleeker and curvaceous than the current RS 6 Avant, GT included.

Smaller details include flush door handles, contrasting black roof and roof rails, the obligatory huge brakes pumped-up rear haunches.

Details of the new model are unsurprisingly few and far between since it’s still 18 or so months away, but the expectation is for the current version's twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 (463kW/850Nm) to live on with some form of electrification.

The lesser RS 5 has already been spotted running with a plug-in hybrid system, albeit not a V8, which would make it reasonable for the RS 7 to up the cylinder count and potentially pinch hardware from the Lamborghini Urus SE which pumps out a phenomenal 588kW/950Nm – more than enough to see-off the new M5 Touring.

Digital Image credit: Kolesa.RU

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