Forbidden Fruit Super Wagons
Performance wagons are an amusing genre. While not a volume market, especially in North America, it has a strong and dedicated fanbase hellbent on keeping it alive. If anything, the success of the Audi RS 6 and BMW M5 Touring is proving to automakers that high-powered longroofs have a place in the U.S market.
Understandably, though, Audi and BMW are still a little cautious about bringing more wagons to the U.S., but both are giving it more serious thought. Unfortunately, that also means America has missed out on the G81 M3 Touring and the G21 3 Series Touring, while Audi of America still isn’t reversing its decision to not bring in the RS 5 Avant.
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The Inevitable Comparo
Inevitably, comparison tests pitting the two high-powered wagons have begun. The folks from German publication Sport Auto brought the M3 Touring and RS 5 Avant to the Hockenheimring for a track battle. It’s the type of comparo that we want but can’t do or get, so we’ll admit we’re a little jealous here.
If we’re merely relying on horsepower output, it’s supposed to be a cakewalk for the Audi. The RS 5 Avant’s 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 is aided by a powerful electric motor from a plug-in hybrid system. Total system output is rated at 630 hp and 609 lb-ft, which makes the M3 Touring look pale in comparison. The BMW is powered by a twin-turbo inline-six with ‘just’ 523 hp and 479 lb-ft. Strong figures, yes, but the Touring gives up 107 hp and 130 lb-ft to the Avant.
Audi
Power Isn’t Everything
But time and again it’s been proven that power isn’t everything, and it’s the same case here. Working against the Audi is its weight, tipping the scales at 5,225 lbs and even heavier than an RS 6 Avant. The BMW, on the other hand, is a flyweight by comparison at ‘just’ 4,277 lbs. Still not light, but nearly 1,000 lbs of extra mass wasn’t ever going to do the RS 5 favors.
The result? The RS 5 Avant finishes behind the M3 Touring. More specifically, the Audi’s lap time was 3.71 seconds slower than the BMW. It’s not like the RS 5 had any handling issues. If anything, it did well on track. However, the M3 simply carried more speed around the bends, aided by its lighter weight.
Another factor here was the tires, as admitted by Sport Auto. The Audi rode on Pirelli P Zero R tires, while the M3 was shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires which are practically road-legal semi-slicks at this point. An unfair advantage? Probably, but Audi isn’t offering that kind of tire on the RS 5 Avant just yet, whereas BMW has it as an option for the M3 Touring.
Still Rapid, Regardless
Yes, the RS 5 Avant got beat, but it and the M3 Touring are rapid wagons nonetheless. The fact that both BMW and Audi are making these superwagons is a great thing, and that’s something you can’t take away from these automakers.
The only thing we can wish for is Audi of America to reconsider its stance on the prospect of bringing the RS 5 Avant to the U.S. In BMW’s case, it would be nice for it to offer the next-gen M3 Touring stateside. After all, it already had a surprise hit with the M5 Touring.
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