The midsize performance sedan segment is not getting any bigger in 2026. That’s because Audi is not planning to introduce a new combustion-powered S6 this year, despite recently giving the all-new A6 several updates, including a new infotainment interface, a revised steering wheel, improved voice control, and more. Edmunds reports that the only middle ground between the A6 and the RS6 for the 2026 model year will be the all-electric S6 Sportback e-tron, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As Audi seeks to simplify its lineup, the S6 was a clear candidate for discontinuation, as the previous-generation S6 was lukewarm in both performance and buyer enthusiasm.
Dropping the Gas Audi S6 Makes Sense
Audi
Audi has streamlined the entire A6 range, removing four-cylinder engines from the lineup and offering the gas A6 exclusively with a 3.0-liter V6, and although this only produces 362 horsepower (the old S6 made 444 hp), Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of just 4.5 seconds, which is a tenth quicker than the previous-gen S6 could manage in Edmunds testing. The 2026 A6 can also be more exciting in the bends than before, with a sport rear differential available, along with firmer suspension and rear-wheel steering. For the record, the S6 Sportback e-tron’s dual-motor electric powertrain offers 543 hp, while the A6 e-tron makes up to 456 hp (375 hp in single-motor guise).
Audi’s simplified A6 lineup is reminiscent of a BMW decision from a couple of years back, when the Bavarian automaker elected to discontinue the V8-powered M550i for the G30 generation, leaving buyers with a choice between the all-electric i5 M60 and the range-topping G90 M5 plug-in hybrid.
RS6 Still Available for 2026
Audi
EV power isn’t permeating the entire Audi lineup. In fact, the next-gen RS6 e-tron has been canceled, and while we wait for the C9 RS6 to arrive (retaining a V8 engine), the current C8 RS6 will continue to be offered for 2026. Audi USA lists the high-performance wagon with a starting price of $130,700, and that buys a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 621 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough for a claimed 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. In a nutshell, Audi, like BMW, is no longer attempting to fill every possible niche. Developing S (or M-lite) performance models alongside high-performance RS (and full-fat M) variants can no longer be justified for every model line. The top-tier models act as halos and are therefore still worth offering, and those who don’t want ultimate bragging rights can go electric, where retaining the S (or M60) variants helps increase the allure of switching to EV power.
About the author
Sebastian Cenizo
Senior Editor, Autoblog