Audi hasn’t been doing too well lately. Sales fell 11.8 percent last year to 1,671,218 vehicles and haven’t rebounded in the first nine months of 2025. Through September, shipments continued to decline, dropping 4.8 percent to 1,175,765 units. That’s despite the launch of several new core products, including the A5, Q5, and A6. The revamped Q3 didn’t have time to move the needle since its market debut only happened in September. Ingolstadt’s product onslaught is far from over. While we wait for the production version of the Concept C sports car to arrive in 2027, next year will be a busy one. In a document prepared for investors following its Q3 results, Audi previewed what’s ahead. In 2026, three major debuts are planned: the next-generation Q7, the first-ever Q9, and an entry-level electric car. Audi seems to have learned its lesson after relying too heavily on EVs, which led to the cancellation of the Q8 E-Tron and the closure of the Brussels factory where the large electric SUV was built. The next Q7 will keep its combustion engines, while the bigger Q9 will also feature gas powertrains. TDI versions shouldn’t be ruled out in Europe, where diesel engines remain relevant for large luxury vehicles. The most affordable EV will slot below the Q4 E-Tron and is expected to serve as a pseudo A2 revival, but exclusively electric. Like the upcoming SUVs, it (sadly) won’t adopt Audi’s new design language introduced by the Concept C. Since vehicle designs are typically finalized two to three years before launch, these three models will retain the current styling theme, likely featuring split headlights and screen-heavy interiors. Beyond new models, Audi is also preparing RS derivatives for existing cars. Although the company hasn’t specified which ones are coming in 2026, the RS5 seems a safe bet. Since Audi has ruled out four-cylinder RS models and the inline-five is nearing retirement, the next RS5 will likely pack a V-6. It’s unlikely to be a pure gasoline model, given that emissions regulations almost certainly require some level of electrification, meaning a plug-in hybrid setup is probable. The RS5 will be offered in both sedan (technically liftback) and wagon body styles. The next RS6 could also appear next year, presumably as a PHEV and hopefully with a larger V-8. It just wouldn’t feel right for the RS5 and RS6 to share the same cylinder count. We wouldn’t be surprised if the electric RS6 isn’t among the “high-performance RS models offering maximum driving dynamics” that Audi promises to investors. A recent report suggests that the RS6 E-Tron may be dead on arrival, with logical concerns over weak sales potential. Even so, a company spokesperson recently told us that RS models are planned for the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Looking further ahead, Audi wants to satisfy both camps by continuing to offer a broad mix of combustion-engine and electric vehicles. The company has walked back its earlier plan to go fully electric by 2033, with CEO Gernot Döllner recently suggesting ICE models could remain in production well into the next decade. That’s probably the smartest approach in these uncertain times, when customer preferences are more divided than ever. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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