Mercedes Maybach S 680 vs Audi S6 Sportback e-tron: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the S6 Sportback e-tron hits 100 km/h in 4.08 s versus 4.53 s for the Maybach S 680. The instant torque of 855 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the S6 Sportback e-tron leads by 0.46 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the S6 Sportback e-tron is doing 146 km/h against 153 km/h for the Maybach S 680. The gap is 0.22 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Maybach S 680 crosses the line in 12.41 s versus 12.52 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the Maybach S 680 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 220 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Maybach S 680 finishes in 21.93 s versus 23.58 s, with a 1.65 s lead.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Maybach S 680 is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the S6 Sportback e-tron at 240 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 6.44 seconds. The 0.46 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.