Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sedan and 718 Cayman are neck and neck (4,56 s vs 4,63 s, no significant gap).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | S3 Sedan | 718 Cayman | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4.63 s | 4.56 s | 0.07 s · 718 Cayman |
| 400 m standing start | 13.08 s | 12.66 s | 0.42 s · 718 Cayman |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.69 s | 22.89 s | 0.80 s · 718 Cayman |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 274 km/h | 24 km/h · 718 Cayman |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.61 kg/hp | 4.45 kg/hp | better ratio · 718 Cayman |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | S3 Sedan | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.20 s · tight gap | 1.28 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.00 s · tight gap | 2.13 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3.37 s · tight gap | 3.50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4.63 s | 4.56 s · tight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6.64 s | 5.89 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10.96 s | 9.50 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17.37 s | 15.19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.08 s | 12.66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23.69 s | 22.89 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 274 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 535 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 300 hp | B4 |
| Torque | 380 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the 718 Cayman hits 100 km/h in 4.56 s versus 4.63 s for the S3 Sedan. The 0.07 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman is doing 149 km/h against 138 km/h for the S3 Sedan. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Cayman crosses the line in 12.65 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.43 s gap represents roughly 21 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the 718 Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 198 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Cayman finishes in 22.89 s versus 23.69 s, with a 0.80 s lead.
The S3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 718 Cayman’s RWD. At low speeds (0-30, 0-50, 0-80 km/h), AWD doubles the driven contact area: all four wheels transmit torque to the road, virtually eliminating wheelspin at launch. This traction advantage is decisive in the range where the motor delivers peak torque, before power and aerodynamics take over.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the S3 Sedan is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 718 Cayman at 274 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.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.61 kg/hp vs 4.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.68 seconds. The 0.07 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, S3 Sedan and 718 Cayman are neck and neck (4,56 s vs 4,63 s, no significant gap).
S3 Sedan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,63 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S3 Sedan: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp. 718 Cayman: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
S3 Sedan: 250 km/h. 718 Cayman: 274 km/h.