DS DS9 E-Tense 250 vs Audi Q7 SUV: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Q7 SUV hits 100 km/h in 7.07 s versus 8.36 s for the DS9 E-Tense 250. Despite lacking instant torque, 231 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Q7 SUV leads by 1.29 s and sits roughly 36 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Q7 SUV is doing 117 km/h against 121 km/h for the DS9 E-Tense 250. The gap is 1.33 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Q7 SUV crosses the line in 15.11 s versus 16.22 s. The 1.11 s gap represents roughly 46 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the gap narrows. The Q7 SUV maxes out at 226 km/h while the DS9 E-Tense 250 keeps accelerating towards 235 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap is down to 0.89 s from 1.11 s at 400 metres.

At 1,000 metres, the Q7 SUV finishes in 28.09 s versus 28.57 s, with just 0.48 s to spare. The DS9 E-Tense 250 fails to fully close the launch gap.

On paper, the DS9 E-Tense 250 combines 253 hp, 520 Nm and 1,900 kg — a clear theoretical edge over the Q7 SUV. Yet the Q7 SUV launches quicker. At standstill, both motors deliver peak torque from 0 rpm: the decisive factor is no longer raw power, but available grip. If the Q7 SUV has a better traction coefficient (tyres, weight distribution, traction control calibration), it puts down more force despite inferior specs — exactly what the simulation reflects, calibrated on manufacturer 0-100 km/h times.

Electronically capped at 226 km/h, the Q7 SUV 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 12.32 seconds. The 1.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.