Xpeng P7 vs Audi S3 Sportback: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the P7 hits 100 km/h in 4.22 s versus 4.64 s for the S3 Sportback. The instant torque of 655 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the P7 leads by 0.42 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the P7 is doing 147 km/h against 139 km/h for the S3 Sportback. The gap is 0.42 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the P7 crosses the line in 12.54 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.54 s gap represents roughly 26 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The P7 maxes out at 170 km/h while the S3 Sportback keeps accelerating towards 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.16 s.

Around 651 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the S3 Sportback overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 80 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sportback finishes in 23.72 s versus 25.24 s. The 1.53 s delta in favour of the S3 Sportback shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the P7 is capped at 170 km/h, the S3 Sportback at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 7.65 seconds. The 0.42 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.