Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Cayman wins (4,56 s vs 4,81 s).
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.
| 840i xDrive G15 | 718 Cayman | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,81 s | 4,56 s+0,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,04 s | 12,66 s+0,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,66 s | 22,89 s+0,77 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 274 km/h−24 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,21 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 | 840i xDrive G15 | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,25 s | 1,28 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,08 s | 2,13 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,50 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,81 s | 4,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,39 s | 5,89 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,74 s | 9,50 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,33 s | 15,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,04 s | 12,66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,66 s | 22,89 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 | 340 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 770 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic |
| 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 4.81 s for the 840i xDrive. The 0.25 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman is doing 149 km/h against 142 km/h for the 840i xDrive. The gap is 0.17 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Cayman crosses the line in 12.65 s versus 13.04 s. The 0.39 s gap represents roughly 19 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 23.66 s, with a 0.77 s lead.
The 840i xDrive 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 840i xDrive 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 (5.21 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 7.34 seconds. The 0.25 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, 718 Cayman wins (4,56 s vs 4,81 s).
840i xDrive G15 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).
840i xDrive G15: 340 hp, ratio 5,21 kg/hp. 718 Cayman: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
840i xDrive G15: 250 km/h. 718 Cayman: 274 km/h.