Audi S6 Sportback e-tron vs Audi A4 40 TDI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S6 Sportback e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.08 s versus 7.79 s for the A4 40 TDI. The instant torque of 855 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S6 Sportback e-tron leads by 3.72 s and sits roughly 29 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron is doing 146 km/h against 122 km/h for the A4 40 TDI. The gap is 2.49 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the S6 Sportback e-tron crosses the line in 12.52 s versus 15.77 s. The 3.25 s gap represents roughly 130 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron finishes in 23.58 s versus 28.08 s, with a 4.51 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (233 vs 242 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The S6 Sportback e-tron features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the A4 40 TDI’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 Sportback 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 11.76 seconds. The 3.72 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.