Ever since the current F90 BMW M5 made its debut, it’s been one of the two most incredible performance sedans on the market. The other is the Mercedes-AMG E63, which is every bit as brutally exciting as the M5. However, the two big German brutes are getting another competitor from their home country — the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant.

For the first time in history, Audi is offering the RS6 Avant in America and that’s very exciting news for car enthusiasts everywhere, regardless of preferred brand. The RS6 Avant coming to America puts BMW on notice about potentially bringing the M5 Touring back. It’s not likely to happen but with BMW now being the only German to not have a performance wagon ‘Stateside, it might have to consider it.

Either way, the 2020 Audi RS6 Avant is here and it means business. Just look at it. It’s more aggressive looking than both the M5 and E63, which is shocking considering Audi’s typical penchant for subtlety. However, the folks in Ingolstadt seem to be bucking the trend, as the RS6 looks positively brutal. Its flared wheel arches, ultra aggressive front and rear body kits and its roof spoiler all make it look far angrier than both of its German rivals. Whether you like it or not, there’s no denying it’s aggression.

Under the hood, it follows that exterior aggression up with power. A 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 powers the RS6 Avant and it makes a healthy 592 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. That’s a touch less power than the M5’s claimed 600 hp but more than its 553 lb-ft of torque. Audi only claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds but we doubt it’s that slow in the real world. It should be heavier than the M5, due to its wagon body style, so it will likely be a tenth or two slower but still in the very low three-second rangeto 60 mph.

As for the way it handles, the new Audi RS6 Avant will likely be the best handling RS6 yet. It will get adaptive air suspension as-standard but an optional Dynamic Ride Control system will really change the segment. It uses a diagonally-linked hydraulic shock setup, not unlike the system found in the McLaren 720S, as well as the brand’s other Super Series cars. In the McLaren, the system works brilliantly, so we’re expecting good things from the RS6.

That suspension system should also make it more comfortable, as it does in the famed British supercars. Which perfectly suits its dual-use nature as both a super sedan and a family hauler. The RS6’s practical wagon body style will tempt a lot of potential BMW M5 customers.

And, again, it’s coming to America. For BMW, it used to be that the RS6 Avant was only a bother in Europe. Now, the four-ringed brand is going to be a thorn in its side in America, too. It should be a blast to see how these cars battle it out in the future.

[Source: QuattroDaily]