Over 0–100 km/h, Cayenne S E3.1 wins (4,63 s vs 4,93 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Q8 SUV | Cayenne S E3.1 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,93 s | 4,63 s+0,29 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,79 s+0,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,97 s | 23,26 s+0,71 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 240 km/h | 264 km/h−24 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,94 kg/hp | 4,59 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Q8 SUV | Cayenne S E3.1 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,29 s | 1,22 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,14 s | 2,04 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,60 s | 3,38 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,93 s | 4,63 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,58 s | 6,04 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,10 s | 10,10 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,18 s | 16,21 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,79 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,97 s | 23,26 s |
| Top speed | 240 km/h | 264 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 489 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 700 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 415 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed tiptronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 440 hp | V6 |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 020 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | TORQUE_CONVERTER |
Off the line, the Cayenne S hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 4.93 s for the Q8 SUV. Despite lacking instant torque, 440 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Cayenne S leads by 0.29 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayenne S is doing 145 km/h against 140 km/h for the Q8 SUV. The gap is 0.24 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayenne S crosses the line in 12.79 s versus 13.18 s. The 0.40 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Cayenne S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 202 km/h versus 195 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayenne S finishes in 23.26 s versus 23.96 s, with a 0.70 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Q8 SUV is capped at 240 km/h, the Cayenne S at 264 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 7.54 seconds. The 0.29 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cayenne S E3.1 wins (4,63 s vs 4,93 s).
Q8 SUV goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,93 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Q8 SUV: 489 hp, ratio 4,94 kg/hp. Cayenne S E3.1: 440 hp, ratio 4,59 kg/hp.
Q8 SUV: 240 km/h. Cayenne S E3.1: 264 km/h.