Audi S6 Sportback e-tron vs BMW 216i Gran Tourer F22: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S6 Sportback e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.08 s versus 11.54 s for the 216i Gran Tourer. The instant torque of 855 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S6 Sportback e-tron leads by 7.46 s and sits roughly 30 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron is doing 146 km/h against 101 km/h for the 216i Gran Tourer. The gap is 3.70 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 18.11 s. The 5.59 s gap represents roughly 178 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 139 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron finishes in 23.58 s versus 33.26 s, with a 9.68 s lead.

The S6 Sportback e-tron features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 216i Gran Tourer’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.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S6 Sportback e-tron is capped at 240 km/h, the 216i Gran Tourer at 188 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 20.02 seconds. The 7.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.