Audi RS6 Avant Takes on BMW M4 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quad

While not competitors in the traditional sense, watching these three European performance machines face off is a blast.

Other than offering top-notch performance, the Audi RS6 Avant, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and BMW M4 don’t really have a whole lot in common. That’s made clear at the very beginning of this latest video from carwow, where affable presenter Mat Watson explains that this peculiar hat trick of vehicles was assembled because they represent his favorite offering in their respective categories. And I have to say, it’s hard to argue with the man’s taste — all these machines rip.

Now, while I’m still waiting for Ingolstadt’s latest hot rod wagon to hit my local press fleet, I have driven the Alfa and the BMW. The best description I have of the Stelvio Quad is that it feels like a very practical crossover that’s been thoroughly and enthusiastically possessed by Satan. And performance aside? It has the best sounding engine of the assembled hardware, hands down. The BMW is an absolute hoot to pilot as well — and its limits are far beyond the reach of most any hobbyist. I don’t even mind the new front fascia that’s caused so much commotion.

So given that all I know about the RS6 is what I’ve heard from friends and seen on the web, it was beyond impressive to see just how well it performed when it was time for the rubber to meet the road. Because even given the near-flawless launch Watson delivered with the Alfa, the Audi still managed to best the Italian Stallion from a dig. What was really surprising was just how far behind the representative of the Motoren Werke was until it started gathering steam. Sure, it makes up a lot of space toward the end — but not enough to do any better than third.

That said, the coolest thing about this video is how it illustrates just how capable modern performance vehicles are, regardless of whether they’re coupes, wagons, or even crossovers. Cool as they might look and sound, virtually all the supercars of yesteryear would have gotten their butts handed to them if they’d lined up on the runway here, even though they’re considerably less reliable and comfortable than any one of these choices. What a time to be alive…

Photos: YouTube

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