Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron vs Porsche Cayenne Diesel 958.1: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Cayenne Diesel hits 100 km/h in 7.43 s versus 7.52 s for the Q6 Sportback e-tron. Despite lacking instant torque, 243 hp of power compensates. The 0.09 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Cayenne Diesel is doing 117 km/h against 120 km/h for the Q6 Sportback e-tron. The gap is 0.30 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cayenne Diesel crosses the line in 15.43 s versus 15.60 s. The 0.17 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Q6 Sportback e-tron maxes out at 210 km/h while the Cayenne Diesel keeps accelerating towards 217 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.07 s.

Around 787 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Q6 Sportback e-tron overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 7 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Q6 Sportback e-tron finishes in 28.40 s versus 28.50 s. The 0.10 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

The Cayenne Diesel features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Q6 Sportback 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 Q6 Sportback e-tron is capped at 210 km/h, the Cayenne Diesel at 217 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 12.32 seconds. The 0.09 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.