Audi A6 Avant vs BMW 520e G30: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the A6 Avant hits 100 km/h in 7.00 s versus 7.75 s for the Bmw 520e. Despite lacking instant torque, 204 hp of power compensates. At this point, the A6 Avant leads by 0.75 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the A6 Avant is doing 117 km/h against 114 km/h for the Bmw 520e. The gap is 0.46 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the A6 Avant crosses the line in 15.02 s versus 15.64 s. The 0.62 s gap represents roughly 24 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the A6 Avant continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 161 km/h versus 157 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the A6 Avant finishes in 27.98 s versus 29.03 s, with a 1.05 s lead.

The A6 Avant features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Bmw 520e’s RWD. 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 A6 Avant is capped at 238 km/h, the Bmw 520e at 225 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 13.17 seconds. The 0.75 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.