BMW M5 Touring Duels Audi RS6 Avant In U-Drag Race

Vehicles just like the BMW M5 Touring and Audi RS6 Avant can do just about all the pieces. Properly, besides go off-road. Until you propose on venturing off the crushed path, these household haulers ought to tick nearly all the opposite packing containers. Each are quick, highly effective, spacious, snug, luxurious, and brimming with know-how.

Edmunds wished to seek out out which of the 2 massive wagons is faster in a straight line. Moderately than organizing a traditional drag race, the M5 and RS6 confronted a barely completely different problem. The primary order of enterprise was to finish a quarter-mile run, then flip 180 levels and return to the place to begin. It’s a extra elaborate check, because it elements in a car’s dealing with and braking capabilities as a substitute of focusing solely on straight-line acceleration.

Predictably, the M wagon was slower off the road as the additional weight reared its ugly head. The moment response of the electrical motor couldn’t offset the practically 600 kilos (272 kilograms) separating the 2 automobiles. Nevertheless, the BMW regularly caught up and took the lead in each runs.

Though the M5 and RS6 each wanted 11.5 seconds to finish the quarter mile, the BMW was touring considerably sooner on the traps. The Touring was clocked at 127.2 mph versus simply 123 mph for the Audi. Munich’s electrified machine elevated its benefit within the second half of the check, ending in 32.8 seconds, or 0.8 seconds forward of its opponent from Ingolstadt.

As the 2 automobiles crossed the end line, the M5 Touring was as soon as once more considerably faster, posting 140.4 mph in comparison with 134.4 mph for the RS6. Though the “G99” got here out on prime, it was nonetheless a tenth of a second slower than one other BMW, the M3 CS Sedan. America missed out on each the M3 CS Touring and the common “G81.” Equally, Audi selected to not promote the previous-generation RS4 Avant within the U.S.

It’s secure to say folks aren’t shopping for M5 and RS6 wagons to race them off the road. Different elements come into play, together with worth. Greater than $20,000 separated the 2 automobiles examined by Edmunds. The BMW carried a $145,775 sticker with choices, whereas the Audi was significantly pricier at $167,140.

For the 2026 mannequin 12 months, nonetheless, the 2 automobiles are virtually identically priced as base fashions. Earlier than ticking any choice packing containers, the M5 Touring begins at $129,350, whereas the RS6 Avant is available in at $131,995. Audi is already cooking up a next-generation mannequin, whereas BMW is getting ready a facelift, but it surely gained’t arrive till 2028.

Video: Edmunds / YouTube