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A718vsBZ4Petrol
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  • Specs718 · Z4

Porsche 718 Spyder vs BMW Z4 M40i G29: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

sports car · 2020 vs 2021 · Methodology
PorschePetrolFaster

718 Spyder

420 hp · 420 Nm · 1,454 kg · 2020

VS
BMWPetrol

Z4 M40i G29

340 hp · 500 Nm · 1,555 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche 718 Spyder

4.26 s

Gap0.28 sin favour of 718 Spyder
BBMW Z4 M40i G29

4.54 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure718 SpyderZ4 M40i G29Gap
0–100 km/h4.26 s4.54 s0.28 s · 718 Spyder
400 m standing start12.05 s12.72 s0.67 s · 718 Spyder
1,000 m standing start21.49 s23.00 s1.51 s · 718 Spyder
Top speed (electronically limited)310 km/h250 km/h60 km/h · 718 Spyder
Power-to-weight ratio3.46 kg/hp4.57 kg/hpbetter ratio · 718 Spyder

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

PorschePetrol718 Spyder
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrolZ4 M40i G29
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage718 SpyderZ4 M40i G29
0–30 km/h1.11 s · tight gap1.26 s
0–50 km/h1.86 s2.11 s
0–80 km/h3.29 s · tight gap3.41 s
0–100 km/h4.26 s4.54 s
0–120 km/h5.27 s5.97 s
0–160 km/h8.30 s9.81 s
0–200 km/h12.43 s15.62 s
400 m standing start12.05 s12.72 s
1,000 m standing start21.49 s23.00 s
Top speed limited310 km/h250 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

Porsche

718 Spyder

3,46kg/hpratio better by 1,11 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power420 hpB6
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 454 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxMANUAL
BMW

Z4 M40i G29

4,57kg/hpcompensated by −101 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power340 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 555 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 718 Spyder hits 100 km/h in 4.27 s versus 4.55 s for the Z4 M40i. At this point, the 718 Spyder leads by 0.28 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 718 Spyder is doing 156 km/h against 147 km/h for the Z4 M40i. The gap is 0.36 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Spyder crosses the line in 12.04 s versus 12.71 s. The 0.67 s gap represents roughly 34 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the 718 Spyder continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 224 km/h versus 204 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Spyder finishes in 21.49 s versus 23.00 s, with a 1.51 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Z4 M40i 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 (3.46 kg/hp vs 4.57 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 6.79 seconds. The 0.28 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Z4 M40i G29
BMW Z4 M40i

Other duels you might be interested in

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718 Spyder vs F-TYPE P300

PorscheVSBMW

911 Carrera T PDK vs Z4 M40i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Spyder wins (4,26 s vs 4,54 s).

718 Spyder goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,26 seconds (calibrated simulation).

718 Spyder: 420 hp, ratio 3,46 kg/hp. Z4 M40i G29: 340 hp, ratio 4,57 kg/hp.

718 Spyder: 310 km/h. Z4 M40i G29: 250 km/h.