Audi has been seen conducting tests on yet another variant of its upcoming A7 lineup, this time featuring a powerful RS 7 Avant.
Previous images captured an A7 sedan, an A7 Avant, an A7 Allroad, and a sporty S7 Avant.
Currently, all variants of the A7 family share a single Sportback liftback design. However, the next generation will introduce sedans that will take the place of the existing gas-powered A6 sedan series, along with Avant wagons that will replace the current gas-powered A6 Avant wagons.
This year, Audi rolled out the A6 E-Tron Sportback liftback, yet the brand aims to maintain a mid-size range with gasoline-powered engines, which explains the ongoing expansion of the A7 lineup. This initiative coincides with Audi’s new naming convention announced last year, designating even numbers for electric vehicle models and odd numbers for those featuring internal combustion engines (ICE).
The prototype clearly signifies its RS 7 lineage through its broad front facade with oversized intakes, flared wheel arches, and cutouts at the rear designed to accommodate the recognizable RS oval exhaust tips.
While the exact powertrain specifications for the upcoming RS 7 remain uncertain, the inclusion of plug-in hybrid technology is highly likely. The expected configuration would combine the existing RS 7’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 with an electric motor integrated into the transmission.
This configuration is already in use across multiple Volkswagen Group brands, including Porsche’s various Cayenne and Panamera models, Lamborghini’s latest Urus, and Bentley’s new Continental GT.
The current RS 7 boasts a maximum output of 621 hp, but with the integration of electrification, the forthcoming generation could potentially exceed 700 hp. This aligns closely with BMW’s rival M5, which offers a V-8 plug-in hybrid setup capable of delivering up to 717 hp.
Though Audi has yet to reveal official plans for the new A7 series, it is anticipated that the automaker will implement an updated version of the existing MLB platform, named PPC (Premium Platform Combustion), which made its debut earlier this year with a redesigned A5 family.
The first models from the new A7 line are expected to debut early next year, with those arriving in the U.S. likely to be labeled as 2026 models. The RS 7 Avant is highly probable to be included in the U.S. lineup, poised to take over from the much-admired RS 6 Avant, which is set to conclude production after 2025.
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