A comparison of D-segment wagons over a kilometer, or 0.62 miles, was recently published in France’s Motorsport Magazine. Even with its lower power, the RS 4 Avant was impressive, clocking it at 22.3 seconds for the standing kilometer, but the M3 Touring beat it by an astounding 20.8 seconds.
Right from the start, the Audi struggles noticeably against its Bavarian competitor. This is partly due to BMW’s superior calibration of launch control systems, a domain in which the M division excels. As the race progresses, the M3 Touring consistently widens the gap between itself and the Audi, owing in part to its 60 metric horsepower advantage over the V6-powered RS 4 Avant.
Weighing in at 1,837 and 1,822 kilograms (4,050 and 4,017 pounds) respectively, these wagons are separated by a 10,800-euro gap in starting price in Germany. Audi’s configurator lists the RS 4 Avant at €90,500 for the most basic specification, equivalent to approximately $98,430. On the other hand, the M3 Touring starts at €101,300 or around $110,200 as of May 2024.
While the M3 Touring may appear expensive compared to the M3 Competition xDrive Sedan in the US market ($84,300), it’s essential to consider factors such as value-added tax in the European Union and fleet-average CO2 emission targets, particularly in the United Kingdom with the ZEV mandate.
In the US, the focus is on fleet-average gas mileage, driving the push toward hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles. Toyota leads in the hybrid space, while Tesla dominates electric vehicle sales.
Regarding future developments, the next-generation RS 4 Avant is expected to be a plug-in hybrid, while BMW is preparing an M3 EV based on the Neue Klasse platform. Both manufacturers are adapting to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations and consumer demand for electrified options.