Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 7,75 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.
| Cayman 981 | 420d Convertible G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,52 s−2,23 s | 7,75 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,64 s−2,00 s | 15,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,69 s−4,00 s | 28,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 253 km/h+17 km/h | 236 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,70 kg/hpbetter ratio | 9,34 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Cayman 981 | 420d Convertible G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,38 s | 1,52 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,30 s | 2,64 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,02 s | 5,29 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,52 s | 7,75 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,16 s | 10,87 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,01 s | 20,11 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,90 s | 37,54 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,64 s | 15,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,69 s | 28,69 s |
| Top speed | 253 km/h | 236 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 279 hp | Aluminum block and heads |
| Torque | 289 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 310 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 775 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Cayman hits 100 km/h in 5.52 s versus 7.75 s for the Bmw 420d Convertible. At this point, the Cayman leads by 2.23 s and sits roughly 13 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayman is doing 136 km/h against 116 km/h for the Bmw 420d Convertible. The gap is 1.13 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman crosses the line in 13.64 s versus 15.64 s. The 2.00 s gap represents roughly 77 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman finishes in 24.68 s versus 28.69 s, with a 4.01 s lead.
Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the Bmw 420d Convertible never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.70 kg/hp vs 9.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.82 seconds. The 2.23 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, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 7,75 s).
Cayman 981 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,52 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayman 981: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp. 420d Convertible G22: 190 hp, ratio 9,34 kg/hp.
Cayman 981: 253 km/h. 420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h.