Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD vs Audi A6 45 TFSI: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Model 3 Long Range RWD hits 100 km/h in 5.72 s versus 6.33 s for the A6 45 TFSI. The instant torque of 446 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Model 3 Long Range RWD leads by 0.61 s and sits roughly 7 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Model 3 Long Range RWD is doing 131 km/h against 128 km/h for the A6 45 TFSI. The gap is 0.37 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Model 3 Long Range RWD crosses the line in 14.16 s versus 14.54 s. The 0.38 s gap represents roughly 17 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Model 3 Long Range RWD maxes out at 224 km/h while the A6 45 TFSI keeps accelerating towards 247 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.29 s.

Around 952 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the A6 45 TFSI overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 23 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the A6 45 TFSI finishes in 26.23 s versus 26.28 s. The 0.05 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model 3 Long Range RWD is capped at 225 km/h, the A6 45 TFSI at 247 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 9.77 seconds. The 0.61 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.