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AiXvsBA6BEV
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  • SpecsiX · A6

BMW iX xDrive40 vs Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

Trip mapped at a glance. Charging stops visible, total duration predictable. Caralogy simulation at 130 km/h.

large SUV · 2021 vs 2026 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
BMWBEV

iX xDrive40

326 ch · 76.6 kWh · 2021

VS
AudiBEVPlus rapide

A6 Sportback e-tron

286 ch · 83 kWh · 2026

Simulation trip
Assumptions: 130 km/h · start 100 % · mild weather

Result · total trip time

ABMW iX xDrive40

8h21charging included

5 stops · 96.24 €

Gap51 minin favour of A6 Sportback e-tron
BAudi A6 Sportback e-tron

7h30charging included

2 stops · 46.95 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureiX xDrive40A6 Sportback e-tronGap
Total time8h217h3051 min · A6 Sportback e-tron
Charging stops5 stops2 stops3 stops · A6 Sportback e-tron
Cost of energy used96.24 €46.95 €49.29 € · A6 Sportback e-tron

Visualise the trip

Both vehicles drive at 130 km/h. The difference comes from charging stops.

BMWBEV
iX xDrive40
100%
288 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
17 min · +31 kWh · 18.38 €
Charge 2
17 min · +31 kWh · 18.38 €
Charge 3
17 min · +31 kWh · 18.38 €
Charge 4
17 min · +31 kWh · 18.38 €
Charge 5
13 min · +23 kWh · 13.70 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 8h21
5
Stops
8h21
Duration
96.24 €
Cost of energy used
AudiBEVFastest
A6 Sportback e-tron
100%
502 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
17 min · +33 kWh · 19.92 €
Charge 2
13 min · +25 kWh · 15.05 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h30
2
Stops
7h30
Duration
46.95 €
Cost of energy used

The 51-minute lead of the A6 Sportback e-tron does not come from driving speed, but from 3 fewer charging stops on this route (2 vs 5).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The gap is built at the stops: 2 stops totalling 30 min for the A6 Sportback e-tron versus 5 stops totalling 80 min for the iX xDrive40.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (21,3 kWh/100km for iX xDrive40 and 14,0 kWh/100km for A6 Sportback e-tron) are measured on a mixed cycle averaging ~46 km/h. At a steady 130 km/h, aerodynamic drag weighs much more heavily - it grows with the square of speed. Caralogy calculates a motorway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve - not a uniform correction factor. For this trip, the simulation yields 26,6 kWh/100km (iX xDrive40) and 16,5 kWh/100km (A6 Sportback e-tron). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

Recovery speed: 11,8 km/min versus 6,8 km/min

During the 30 minutes of charging for the A6 Sportback e-tron, range recovers by 353 km. During the 80 cumulative minutes for the iX xDrive40, range recovers by 547 km. Per minute: the A6 Sportback e-tron recovers 1,7× faster. At this rate, the charging stop blends into the trip rhythm - just enough time for a coffee. At a lower rate, it dictates the pace.

For reference: how much would an equivalent petrol car cost?

A Peugeot 3008 1.2 PureTech 130 (equivalent segment) consumes about 7,8 L/100km on the motorway at 130 km/h. At 1,9 €/L, this Paris → Marseille trip would cost ~112 €. That is 1,2× the electric cost of the iX xDrive40 and 2,4× that of the A6 Sportback e-tron. The gap narrows in winter but never reverses.

Energy cost breakdown for your trip Paris → Marseille

The cost per kilometre depends on the electricity rate applied to each segment - based on the energy source used at that point of the trip.

BMW iX xDrive40

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Beaune, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh259 km69 kWh consumed0.053 €/km13.79 €
Beaune, A6 → Tournus, A6energy charged at Ionity 108 kW · 0.60 €/kWh115 km31 kWh consumed0.160 €/km18.38 €
Tournus, A6 → Valence, A7energy charged at Ionity 108 kW · 0.60 €/kWh115 km31 kWh consumed0.160 €/km18.38 €
Valence, A7 → Montélimar, A7energy charged at Ionity 108 kW · 0.60 €/kWh115 km31 kWh consumed0.160 €/km18.38 €
Montélimar, A7 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 108 kW · 0.60 €/kWh115 km31 kWh consumed0.160 €/km18.38 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 105 kW · 0.60 €/kWh56 km15 kWh consumed0.159 €/km8.91 €
Trip total96.24 €

Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh452 km75 kWh consumed0.033 €/km14.95 €
Limonest, A6 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 117 kW · 0.60 €/kWh201 km33 kWh consumed0.099 €/km19.92 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 116 kW · 0.60 €/kWh122 km20 kWh consumed0.099 €/km12.08 €
Trip total46.95 €

Range recovered by stop duration

How many kilometres do you recover depending on the time spent at the charger? Comparison at nominal peak power.
Charging stop durationBMW iX xDrive40Audi A6 Sportback e-tron
5 minutes--
10 minutes--
20 minutes--
Full session 10 → 80 %--

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
21.3 kWh/100 km · 14.0 kWh/100 km
Net battery
76.6 kWh · 83 kWh

Compare with another vehicle

Replace one of the two with an alternative from the same segment

BMWBEV

iX xDrive40

326 ch · 76.6 kWh · 2021

AudiBEV

A6 Sportback e-tron

286 ch · 83 kWh · 2026

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Model X Long Range vs iX xDrive40

Frequently asked questions

The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the A6 Sportback e-tron arrives in 7h30 with 2 charging stops.

WLTP consumption does not reflect motorway reality. Aerodynamic drag grows with the square of speed, so real consumption is 15 to 25 % higher than WLTP combined. Caralogy calculates a highway consumption specific to each vehicle based on its aerodynamic profile (SCx), weight and power curve.

Total time = driving time + charging time. Driving time is calculated at an average speed of 130 km/h on the motorway (adjustable). Charging time is calculated based on the real power curve of each vehicle, respecting the optimal 10 → 80 % range and the maximum power accepted by the chargers on the route.

No. The displayed cost covers only the energy consumed during the trip: kWh × energy rate, with a mix of home charging and DC fast chargers. Battery wear is a long-term ownership cost, not a trip cost.

On this trip, the energy used costs 96.24 € (iX xDrive40) and 46.95 € (A6 Sportback e-tron). For reference, an equivalent Peugeot 3008 1.2 PureTech 130 (~7.8 L/100 km) would cost about 112 € in fuel.