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AEQSBEVvsBA3Diesel
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  • SpecsEQS · A3

Mercedes EQS 450 V297 vs Audi A3 Sportback

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

limousine · 2023 vs 2026 · Paris → Marseille · 775 km · 130 km/h
MercedesBEV

EQS 450 V297

333 ch · 107.8 kWh · 2023

VS
AudiDieselPlus rapide

A3 Sportback

116 ch · 2026

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

Result · total trip time

AMercedes EQS 450 V297

7h24charging included

2 stops · 58.85 €

Gap23 minin favour of A3 Sportback
BAudi A3 Sportback

7h01no stop

0 stops · 74.00 €

Paris → Marseille · 130 km/h · Caralogy simulation
MeasureEQS 450 V297A3 SportbackGap
Total time7h247h0123 min · A3 Sportback
Charging stops2 stops0 stops2 stops · A3 Sportback
Cost of energy used58.85 €74.00 €15.15 € · EQS 450 V297

Visualise the trip

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

MercedesBEV
EQS 450 V297
100%
513 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Charge 1
14 min · +43 kWh · 25.87 €
Charge 2
9 min · +29 kWh · 17.35 €
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h24
2
Stops
7h24
Duration
58.85 €
Cost of energy used
AudiDieselFastest
A3 Sportback
100%
1023 km
Range
Paris
0 km · departure
Marseille
775 km · Arrival 7h01
0
Stops
7h01
Duration
74.00 €
Cost of energy used

The 23-minute lead of the A3 Sportback (combustion) comes from not needing a charging stop: no stop versus 2 stops totalling 23 min for the EQS 450 V297 (electric).

Both vehicles drove at 130 km/h for the entire trip. The A3 Sportback (combustion) makes no stop, the EQS 450 V297 (electric) 2 stops totalling 23 min. Road safety reminder: on a trip of this duration, it is recommended to stop for at least 51 min total (17 min every 2h). The energy cost is 58,85 € for EQS 450 V297 versus 74,00 € for A3 Sportback.

Motorway consumption: the Caralogy methodology

The official WLTP figures (18,3 kWh/100km for EQS 450 V297 and 4,9 L/100km for A3 Sportback) 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 21,0 kWh/100km (EQS 450 V297) and 4,4 L/100km (A3 Sportback). Full methodology: see the assumptions below the controls.

What about a 200 km round trip?

On a 200 km round trip (e.g. a weekend getaway), the electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle completes the entire journey on home energy at 0.20 €/kWh - with no charging stop. The time advantage of the combustion car on long-distance motorways disappears entirely, and the economic advantage of electric strengthens considerably.

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.

Mercedes EQS 450 V297

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Limonest, A6initial energy charged at home · 0.20 €/kWh462 km97 kWh consumed0.042 €/km19.41 €
Limonest, A6 → Manosque, A51energy charged at Ionity 185 kW · 0.60 €/kWh205 km43 kWh consumed0.126 €/km25.87 €
Manosque, A51 → Marseilleenergy charged at Ionity 193 kW · 0.60 €/kWh108 km23 kWh consumed0.126 €/km13.57 €
Trip total58.85 €

Audi A3 Sportback

SegmentEnergy usedDistanceConsumption€/kmCost (€)
Paris → Marseillefuel · 2.17 €/L775 km34 L consumed0.095 €/km74.00 €
Trip total74.00 €

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 durationMercedes EQS 450 V297Audi A3 Sportback
5 minutes~56 km-
10 minutes~111 km-
20 minutes~222 km-
Full session 10 → 80 %~359 km · 31 min-

What produces these figures

WLTP combined consumption
18.3 kWh/100 km · 4.9 L/100 km

Compare with another vehicle

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

MercedesBEV

EQS 450 V297

333 ch · 107.8 kWh · 2023

AudiDiesel

A3 Sportback

116 ch · 2026

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A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

The advantage comes from the combo real range + charging speed. On Paris → Marseille (775 km at 130 km/h), the A3 Sportback arrives in 7h01 with 0 fuel 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 58.85 € (EQS 450 V297) and 74.00 € (A3 Sportback). For reference, an equivalent Mercedes S 450 (~9.0 L/100 km) would cost about 129 € in fuel.