DS DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 vs Audi A6 45 TFSI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 hits 100 km/h in 5.98 s versus 6.33 s for the A6 45 TFSI. The instant torque of 500 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 leads by 0.35 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 is doing 127 km/h against 128 km/h for the A6 45 TFSI. The gap is 0.37 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 crosses the line in 14.27 s versus 14.54 s. The 0.27 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The DS7 E-Tense 4x4 300 maxes out at 230 km/h while the A6 45 TFSI keeps accelerating towards 247 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.15 s.

Around 794 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A6 45 TFSI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 17 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A6 45 TFSI finishes in 26.23 s versus 26.41 s. The 0.17 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Electronically capped at 247 km/h, the A6 45 TFSI 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 9.77 seconds. The 0.35 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.