It is the classic battle of the titans. Audi vs BMW, and they are waging a battle for supremacy in the premium sector. Both of these automakers are expanding into different markets to gain increased share but they are using opposite approaches to get there.
It can be argued that BMW is broadening the appeal and going softer.. not as hardcore and more generic thus appealing to a wider audience.
Audi on the other hand is becoming more focused with specific models and bringing in influences from sister lines to give more personality.
As odd as it sounds, the two are getting closer than ever to meeting in...the middle.
Check out this Top Gear excerpt below to see just how far each of the companies have come over the last few years.
After reviewing it there is little doubt the M3 is a far better track car between the two, but the question is how often do you hang your rear out on the street?
It is a pretty conservative assumption 95% of all BMW owners probably would be hard pressed to drive their car to 90th percentile like you see in the clip. I say 90th percentile because if you think power sliding or drifting is the fastest way around a corner, then you are wrong. If it was true you would see F1 and Lemans racers power sliding all of the time. But being able to control that portion or yaw and pitch however IS the key to fast lap times, just not so dramatically
Yes by review the Audi is clearly plowing in the corners. But on the street you generally WANT that vs kicking out the butt when you lift the throttle at full tilt.
Remember most of the drivers buying either of these brands are not hardcore racers. They know car control by theory rather than practice.
With that being said is Audi doing a better job with the RS5 by making a vehicle that is easier to control and safer safer to run at the limits? Is BMW better off abandoning the hardcore approach that has served them so well? Should they BOTH stop worrying about each other and just start making upscale mainstream models like the Japanese?
Enjoy!
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Photo Gallery
2012 Audi A6 Launch Photo Gallery
Porsche 911 Experience Photo Gallery
2011 Chicago Auto Show Photo Gallery
2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Photo Gallery