Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback and 718 Boxster are neck and neck (4,64 s vs 4,64 s, no significant gap).
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.
| S3 Sportback | 718 Boxster | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s−0,00 s | 4,64 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s | 12,76 s+0,33 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 23,08 s+0,64 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 274 km/h−24 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,61 kg/hp | 4,45 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 | S3 Sportback | 718 Boxster |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,23 s | 1,28 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,05 s | 2,13 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,41 s | 3,50 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,64 s | 4,64 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,63 s | 6,02 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,91 s | 9,81 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,45 s | 15,72 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,09 s | 12,76 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 23,08 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 274 km/h |
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 S3 Sportback hits 100 km/h in 4.64 s versus 4.65 s for the 718 Boxster. The 0.00 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the 718 Boxster is doing 147 km/h against 139 km/h for the S3 Sportback. The gap is 0.13 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Boxster crosses the line in 12.76 s versus 13.08 s. The 0.33 s gap represents roughly 16 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the 718 Boxster continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 204 km/h versus 197 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Boxster finishes in 23.08 s versus 23.72 s, with a 0.64 s lead.
The S3 Sportback features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the 718 Boxster’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 Sportback is capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 718 Boxster 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 7.65 seconds. The 0.00 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sportback and 718 Boxster are neck and neck (4,64 s vs 4,64 s, no significant gap).
S3 Sportback goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,64 seconds (calibrated simulation).
S3 Sportback: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp. 718 Boxster: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
S3 Sportback: 250 km/h. 718 Boxster: 274 km/h.