Over 0–100 km/h, S6 Avant e-tron wins (4,03 s vs 4,50 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 | S5 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,03 s−0,47 s | 4,50 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,29 s−0,51 s | 12,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,45 s−0,94 s | 23,39 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h | 250 km/h−10 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,30 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,31 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 | S5 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,11 s | 1,11 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,85 s | 1,85 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,01 s | 3,22 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,03 s | 4,50 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,31 s | 6,11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,17 s | 10,43 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14,84 s | 16,98 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,29 s | 12,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,45 s | 23,39 s |
| Top speed limited | 240 km/h | 250 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 | 367 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 950 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S6 Avant e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.03 s versus 4.50 s for the S5 Sedan. The instant torque of 855 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S6 Avant e-tron leads by 0.47 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron is doing 150 km/h against 142 km/h for the S5 Sedan. The gap is 0.32 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 12.80 s. The 0.51 s gap represents roughly 25 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 198 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S6 Avant e-tron finishes in 22.44 s versus 23.38 s, with a 0.94 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (240 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S6 Avant e-tron is capped at 240 km/h, the S5 Sedan 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 7.04 seconds. The 0.47 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 4,50 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. S5 Sedan: 367 hp, ratio 5,31 kg/hp.
S6 Avant e-tron: 240 km/h. S5 Sedan: 250 km/h.