Audi A6 Avant e-tron vs BMW 520d xDrive Touring G60: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the A6 Avant e-tron hits 100 km/h in 7.12 s versus 7.45 s for the 520d xDrive Touring. The instant torque of 435 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. Despite the faster sprint time, the 520d xDrive Touring is 9 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.

At 200 metres, the 520d xDrive Touring is doing 115 km/h against 123 km/h for the A6 Avant e-tron. The gap is 0.17 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A6 Avant e-tron crosses the line in 15.21 s versus 15.41 s. The 0.20 s gap represents roughly 8 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the A6 Avant e-tron continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 172 km/h versus 159 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A6 Avant e-tron finishes in 27.38 s versus 28.61 s, with a 1.23 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (210 vs 218 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The 520d xDrive Touring features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A6 Avant e-tron’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the A6 Avant e-tron is capped at 210 km/h, the 520d xDrive Touring at 218 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.65 seconds. The 0.33 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.