Audi A6 Avant e-tron vs Porsche Cayman S 981: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Cayman S hits 100 km/h in 4.90 s versus 5.45 s for the A6 Avant e-tron. Despite lacking instant torque, 330 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Cayman S leads by 0.56 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Cayman S is doing 147 km/h against 136 km/h for the A6 Avant e-tron. The gap is 0.47 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman S crosses the line in 12.90 s versus 13.77 s. The 0.87 s gap represents roughly 40 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the Cayman S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 187 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman S finishes in 23.17 s versus 25.00 s, with a 1.83 s lead.

Electronically capped at 210 km/h, the A6 Avant e-tron never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.

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 8.31 seconds. The 0.56 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.