Wagons are a uncommon breed in Canada, lurking within the shadows of gargantuan SUVs and pick-up vehicles. Efficiency variants much more so. Lengthy roofs haven’t change into the norm right here like they’ve in Europe or Asia, the place homeowners are inclined to favor a wagon’s decrease heart of gravity, superior driving dynamics, accessible cargo bay, unassuming efficiency, and smaller footprint. We get it, SUV drivers get pleasure from sitting larger up for a greater view of the street and with it, a higher sense of security and consciousness. But, glimmers of hope for a sportwagon renaissance have begun to emerge within the final decade.
Volvo was one of many first to take the gamble, equipping their V60 Polestar with a pair of flippers and sending it to our shores. Then got here Mercedes with the insatiable E 63 AMG Wagon, and Porsche with the Panamera and Taycan Sport Turismo. Audi and BMW shortly responded with the Audi RS6 Avant GT and BMW M5 Touring, the pair lastly rid of their forbidden fruit standing.
Each have proven up simply in time, wearing matching white warfare paint, laced with nuclear V8 engines that punch out north of 600 horsepower, accompanied by mellifluous exhaust notes, carbon ceramic brakes for unholy stopping energy, and all-wheel drive for all-weather functionality. The IMSA racing collection additionally conjures up them of their distinctive approach, however we’ll get to that shortly. The comparability between these two nail-bitingly beautiful estates is inevitable. Each are esoteric machines that fly below the radar and revel in a discreet appreciation for with the ability to shuttle 5 people comfortably at over 300 km/h. And you may complain all you need concerning the apocalyptic transition to boring electrical automobiles, however we’ve got now entered the golden age of efficiency wagons in Canada.
The Audi is a proficient neck-cracker however with no chiropractor license. Arkona White with matching white wheels is a godly spec, and this purple, black, and gray livery takes it to a different stage. The RS6 Avant GT pays tribute to the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO from the late Eighties, a drive that dominated its competitors (however narrowly missed successful the title) with a 720-hp inline-five engine, turbo-chirping noises, and quattro all-wheel drive.
The GT begins at $249,785 with 660 copies destined for the worldwide market, and solely 7 for Canada. That’s a whopping $110,035 greater than the 2025 RS6 Avant Efficiency ($139,750), practically double the value. Not low cost, however neither is exclusivity. The additional penny does go a great distance. After an ordinary RS6 is totally assembled on the manufacturing line in Neckarsulm, 660 destined examples are then despatched to the Böllinger Höfe plant the place the R8 and RS e-tron are made, and hand-assembled by seven skilled staff to create the ultimate RS6 Avant GT. Reminds us a little bit of the Alpina therapy. Though we want the livery had been painted on as a substitute of this sticker set, particularly contemplating the asking value, there are extra inconspicuous specs accessible with out the livery, in Nardo Gray and Mythos Black.
There’s a brand new pass-through roof spoiler that mimics the double spoiler within the 90 IMSA GTO, an up to date diffuser, carbon fibre hood and fenders (the primary on a manufacturing Audi) with the bare fibres discernible from behind the aspect vents, roof rail deletion, and Continental Sport Contact 7 tires wrapped round six-spoke 22-inch solid aluminum wheels painted in Ibis White and flanking carbon ceramic brakes, all of which scale back the curb weight by round 40 kg, and create a wagon with oodles of visible rigidity and geometric muscle that has us weak within the knees. Ardour and sound selections don’t usually mesh however the RS6 makes a helluva’ good case for it.
The inside additionally receives just a few upgrades with full Alcantara surfaces, non-obligatory carbon fibre bucket seats (ours has the usual seats that include any RS6), and a serial quantity on the middle console displaying the precise quantity fairly than a generic 1/660. Ours was #385/660.
In contrast to the BMW M5, the RS6 just isn’t hybridized. As a substitute, it clings onto the volcanic embers of pure combustion with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering the identical 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque as the usual RS6 Efficiency by means of its all-wheel drive system and 8-speed automated transmission, however the GT revises the middle locking differential that now permits as much as 70% of torque to the entrance axle, and 85% to the rear. The rear differential has additionally been retuned, and the entrance and rear anti-roll bars are stiffer. The GT replaces air springs and adaptive dampers with manually adjustable passive coilovers that decrease the journey peak by 10 mm, a function paying homage to the Volvo V60 T8 Polestar Engineered, which utilized handbook Ohlins shocks. The dampers right here could be adjusted for each low-speed and high-speed compression, in addition to rebound (our check automobile used the default manufacturing unit settings). The result’s a 0-100 km/h dash in 3.3 seconds, three-tenths sooner than the M5 Touring.
By comparability, the BMW seems muted, devoid of options, and virtually naked on this prosaic white paint, as if it’s prepared for a recent livery to be utilized. However this unassuming shade of Frozen Sensible White Metallic, which prices $6,000 below the BMW Particular person program, remains to be engaging below the bask of golden hour glow, reflecting tints of yellow sparkles and faint blue hues, accentuating its indirect shoulders and prolonged silhouette that continues to summon fond reminiscences of the E60 M5 Touring. Be that as it could, extra vibrant hues like Daytona Violet or Laguna Seca Blue go well with it higher.
The G99 M5 Touring prices $138,000, $3,000 greater than the Sedan. The Touring sits 6 mm larger and is 40 kg heavier, complemented by particular underfloor bracing parts, together with a crossbar and shear panel, in addition to stiffer areas across the baggage compartment. Moreover, the sunroof has been made wider, measuring 40 cm longer to convey extra gentle into the rear cabin. There may be 500 L of cargo area with seats up and a powerful 1630 L with seats down. For comparability, that’s 34 L greater than the Sedan, and 100 L greater than the X6 M.
Taking the blueprint from the BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh race automotive that competes in IMSA, this M5 is provided with a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 (S68) paired with a 14.8 kWh lithium-ion battery and an electrical motor mounted throughout the transmission housing. Producing a mixed 717 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque by means of an 8-speed automated transmission to all 4 wheels, the M5 can attain as much as 40 km on electrons alone.
Even with extra energy on faucet, the M5 Touring weighs in at 2,485 kg, a considerable 265 kg greater than the two,220 kg RS6 GT. That’s like hauling one other 4 average-sized adults, which is a believable state of affairs for this household wagon. The result’s a slower 0-100 km/h time of three.6 seconds however BMW’s claimed figures are at all times conservative, and we wouldn’t be shocked if it had been nearer to the Audi’s 3.3 seconds.
Depart it to BMW to create an eminently refined inside. Taupe Gray over Deep Lagoon is a shocking spec and the dual-tone, matched with the adaptive ambient lighting, elevates the ambiance from a Bavarian luxurious merchandise to a high-end Monaco nightclub. Whereas it borders on superfluous, the Touring does include just a few hotfixes over the Sedan, particularly in materials high quality. As a substitute of a budget, scratchy plastics that cowl the door panel switchgear within the Sedan, they’ve been changed by a shiny piano black materials that appears and seems like its six-figure price ticket.
There’s one thing uniquely particular about these efficiency wagons. They invite a extra mature form of purchaser who wishes an aurally and visually pleasing chariot however with out the distasteful shoutiness of a mid-engined supercar, or the vulgarity and planetary gravity of a sporty SUV. The M5 displays this ethos the most effective. It maintains a low profile, with solely two M5 badges seen from the outside—a stunning and considerably off-brand selection. Regardless of its weight, the M5 prospers on twisty roads sprawled onto the map like a ramen noodle, welcoming a cresting off-camber flip with open arms, rotating with alacrity and delicate oversteer. It has the chassis fluency of a smaller M3 however maintains that steadiness and rear-driven confidence even with its uprated output, displaying flashes of brilliance with each downshift and crackle from the exhaust. And we’ve got to provide credit score to the Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 rubber. In its sportiest settings, some may discover the damping too stiff, with low-frequency vibrations permeating the seats and steering, however it’s bearable and extra comfy than the Audi’s.
With all of the devices and gizmos that go into this M5, sufficient to fill just a few chapters within the handbook, one would assume that this mechanical orchestra is just too advanced for its personal good, however that is {hardware} and software program singing in good concord. The M5 by no means skips a beat. The gearbox is polished and doesn’t chirp or lag throughout low-speed transitions, its acceleration is frenetic however not skittish or edgy, and its boundaries are simply discovered, although exploring previous them is the place the M5 gives essentially the most thrills. Disconnect the entrance axle, dial again the traction and stability management, and the M5 turns into a mercurial pet that requires exact inputs and your full consideration. It calls for extra from the motive force.
The RS6 Avant GT is the exact opposite. In distinction to BMW’s overt persona, the Audi is a shy but severe device designed for racecraft. The GT’s limited-edition standing and carbon fibre upgrades make it extra akin to an M5 CS, so it won’t seem just like the fairest bout, however we consider it balances out the sting of the four-year-newer and extra developed M5 Touring.
Proper off the bat, we are able to inform it’s a sharper device than the usual RS6. The brand new coilovers and extra rear-biased differential considerably scale back physique roll, the steering is extra tense and decided, and it’s not as hyperactive or as excitable because the BMW. Deciding on the GT-tuned Dynamic driving mode loosens the reins of the digital aids, giving the Audi extra rotational power and higher throttle adjustability. The RS6 GT assaults corners with enthusiasm due to the brand new Continental Sport Contact 7 tires, its limits are extra approachable than these of BMW’s, and it extra persistently engages the motive force. Audi solid a big security internet over the RS6 and it requires deliberate weight switch to the entrance and a heavy dose of mid-corner throttle to get the tail stepping out, which means you’ll be able to confidently flex and take extra liberties with nook entry pace. Consequently, we’re unable to tug off the identical form of inane maneuvers because the M5 when let unfastened, with calculated efforts to powerslide met with a wispy nein.
These are hardships price enduring as a result of as soon as you agree right into a rhythm and start to gel with a well-known street, you start to understand how the spritely front-end scythes round corners whereas the rear unravels itself softly and step by step, preferring a tight-knit, well-choreographed dance, fairly than the M5’s Tomorrowland rave. The Audi breathes with the undulations and feels extra related to the street due to its lighter curb weight and the thin-rimmed steering wheel that’s simpler to understand than the overly girthy BMW’s. It has a greater steering really feel, with extra exact lateral actions, and it hardly ever leaves you nervous or unsure, housing a breadth of functionality that extra successfully merges confidence with efficiency.
Nevertheless, it’s the BMW that’s more adept at dismantling damaged roads. The RS6 rides stiffer with its KW-sourced coilovers and is tuned with extra focus and goal, whereas the M5 shows sufficient chassis fluency and adaptability to fortunately coddle you throughout the province. It has a extra spacious inside and higher seats, and it wouldn’t embarrass itself ought to there be a racetrack on the vacation spot. Like its IMSA GTP counterpart, the twin-turbo V8 would really feel proper at dwelling in search of the checkered flag, constructing and shedding pace like enjoying Gran Turismo on simple mode. With the help and prompt kick of these electrical motors, an harmless prod of the gasoline pedal propels you into illegality inside seconds, and it someway feels faster and extra pressing than the Audi. This can be a wagon made for the Autobahn, but it’s additionally the extra easy, indifferent, and relaxed companion whenever you’re not within the temper for spirited driving.
The RS6 is easier to function however the M5 provides a extra in-depth and customizable expertise with its immeasurable checklist of adjustable settings. Discovering your most popular setup requires experimentation and a handbook of its personal, or maybe a crew of certified IMSA engineers to dissect and totally perceive it. As a lot as we get pleasure from tinkering, the plug-and-play nature of the amiable Audi, the shortcoming to regulate the dampers with fast button presses, and the best way it fingers you efficiency on a silver platter make it simpler to just accept and get together with every day.
The sounds emitted by the RS6 are extra genuine and singular than the advanced warfare drum supplied by the dual-source M5. The Audi throbs on idle and revs with a conductor that faithfully follows the beat of your proper foot. The M5 emits that addictive mid-range wail that begs you to downshift, speed up, and repeat, however it’s much less natural and someway much less pleasing with its synthesized noises.
These extremely specialised carriages couldn’t be extra totally different however they share the same purpose: to offer an effervescent and efficient technique of transport with out sacrificing performance or ergonomics. They every provide supercar efficiency in an unassuming guise. Match for the household and match for the fanatic. In that gentle, the M5 and RS6 GT exceed expectations, leaving an indelible impression seared into our gearhead brains, and are mouth-watering prospects for any storage.
However their nuanced behaviours beckon to disparate camps of fanatics. The M5 Touring is an adrenaline rush that displays narcotic ranges of driving nirvana. It’s been some time since a automobile has match our private lives so completely – a double-shot of propulsive espresso on the contact of the purple M1 button. It’s an emotionally stirring spectacle, like watching Usain Bolt dash the 100m. The RS6 GT, alternatively, is for the calmer and extra collected particular person, one who doesn’t at all times must mark down elevens and supply a visible and audible enterprise case for his or her presence on the street, although this Eighties warfare uniform says in any other case, however can cleave by means of the opposition with moonshot accuracy. It’s extra brains than brawn and is the hardcore runner of this duo, sprinting a half-marathon with out its coronary heart fee exceeding 40 bpm.
Dash pace or stamina? To every their very own however it’s the M5 Touring, as advanced and chubby as it’s, that persistently will get our coronary heart racing for the checkered flag.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 Audi RS 6 Avant GT
Paint Sort: Arkona White
Base Worth: $249,785
Worth as Examined: $249,785
Wheelbase(mm): 2,929
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 4,995 / 1,951 / 1,460
Curb weight (kg): 2,220
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Horsepower: 621 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 627 lb-ft @ 2,300 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automated
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Gas Consumption (L/100km): 18.2
Tires: Continental Sport Contact 7; 285/30 ZR22 XL
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 BMW M5 Touring (G99)
Paint Sort: Frozen Sensible White Metallic
Base Worth: $138,000
Worth as Examined: $158,400
Wheelbase(mm): 3,006
Size/Width/Peak (mm): 5,096 / 1,970 / 1,516
Curb weight (kg): 2,485
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 (S68), 14.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, electrical motor
Horsepower: 717 hp @ 5,600 – 6,500 rpm
Torque: 738 lb-ft @ 1,800 – 5,400 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automated
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Electrical-only Vary: 40 km
Noticed Gas Consumption (L/100km): 14.7
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport S 5; 285/40R20 entrance: 295/35R21 rear
