Every now and then, big brands come to blows on social media. In the latest example, Audi used Twitter to take a bit of a pot-shot at German rival BMW, which didn’t hesitate in firing back.

It all started when the official BMW USA account tweeted an image of its M4 coupé along with the words “Sparks fly for this #M4 in exclusive Yas Marina Blue”.

Audi USA smartly quoted the tweet a day or so later (adding the words: “When you see it…”), subtly pointing out that the sparks in the background of the image had seemingly formed the Ingolstadt-based brand’s “four rings” logo.

BMW's response in the latest bout of online shade-throwing between the brands? “We see it, where we usually do … in the rear view mirror”. Ouch.