Over 0–100 km/h, S6 Avant e-tron wins (4,03 s vs 8,22 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| S6 Avant e-tron | A3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,03 s−4,19 s | 8,22 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,29 s−3,81 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,45 s−6,17 s | 28,62 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h | 240 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,30 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,60 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | S6 Avant e-tron | A3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 2,27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 3,78 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,01 s | 6,06 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,03 s | 8,22 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,31 s | 10,86 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,17 s | 18,59 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,84 s | 32,84 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,29 s | 16,10 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,45 s | 28,62 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 240 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 543 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 855 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 150 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 250 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 290 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed manual gearbox |
Off the line, the S6 Avant e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.03 s versus 8.22 s for the A3 Sedan. The instant torque of 855 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S6 Avant e-tron leads by 4.19 s and sits roughly 30 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron is doing 150 km/h against 119 km/h for the A3 Sedan. The gap is 2.77 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S6 Avant e-tron crosses the line in 12.29 s versus 16.09 s. The 3.80 s gap represents roughly 147 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 168 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron finishes in 22.44 s versus 28.62 s, with a 6.17 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The S6 Avant e-tron features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A3 Sedan’s FWD. 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.
Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the S6 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 12.45 seconds. The 4.19 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S6 Avant e-tron wins (4,03 s vs 8,22 s).
S6 Avant e-tron goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,03 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S6 Avant e-tron: 543 hp, ratio 4,30 kg/hp. A3 Sedan: 150 hp, ratio 8,60 kg/hp.
S6 Avant e-tron: 240 km/h. A3 Sedan: 240 km/h.