Just a few days ago the BMW M5 Touring made its public debut. You can read our original BMW M5 Touring article at this link. BMW’s M division is not known for producing many performance stationwagons. However, the folks from Ingolstadt are masters in the art. This makes it a perfect time for BMW M5 Touring vs Audi RS6 Avant match up.

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Not An Everyday Sight

BMW has been pretty selective about the M5 Touring. Not every generation has been produced in an alternate body style to the sedan. The second generation M5 and the V10 (ie E61) were produced in wagon form; both in pretty limited numbers. Audi, on the other hand, has made the performance wagon a specialty. The very first Audi RS car, the Porsche-built RS2, set the tone for fast estates with Four Rings. In fact, the RS6 is only available in Avant form, although the similar powertrain can be found in the RS7 Sportback.

Force-fed Bent Eights

Eight cylinder engines can be found in both cars’ engine bays. The Audi has a 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that, in its latest guise, produces 463 kW and 850 N.m of torque. An eight automatic transmission sends torque to all four wheels via Audi’s famed Quattro system. The BMW M5 Touring also boasts a twin-turbocharged V8. Peak power is rated at 535 kW with a whopping 1 000 N.m of torque. However, the 4,4-litre unit boasts a degree of electrification to achieve those figures. As a result it is a hybrid that can sail along for up to 67 km on battery power. The BMW has an eight-speed automatic as its only option and is all-wheel drive as well.

BMW quotes a carrying volume of 500 litres, to which the Audi adds a further 48. Audi says the RS6 Avant Performance weighs in at 2 090 kg, which is not light by any measure. However, the BMW pays the price for carrying the hybrid system and associated battery pack. The claimed mass figure of the M5 Touring is a Range Rover-rivaling 2 550 kg, according to the official documents. The BMW’s GVM is a whopping 3 050 kg.

Straight-line Performance

The M5 Touring may not be easy on the scales, but BMW says the wagon can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3,6 seconds. The electronically limited top speed is rated as 250 km/h as standard or 305 km/h with the optional M driver’s pack. The Audi RS6 Avant Performance can blast from standstill to 100 km/h in 3,4 seconds. Top speed is also limited to 250 km/h. An optional RS dynamics package plus raises the figure to 305. 

The current price of the Audi RS6 Avant Performance is R2 370 300. There is no official word about the BMW M5 Touring coming to local showrooms. However, the M5 sedan is listed at R2 690 000. The Touring variant will be more expensive than the Avant, even if it is the same price as its sedan sibling. Which of these two German load luggers would you choose? Let us know on our Facebook page.