Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Cayman wins (4,56 s vs 5,07 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.
| Boxster S 987 | 718 Cayman | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,07 s | 4,56 s+0,51 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,66 s+0,53 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 22,89 s+0,83 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 272 km/h | 274 km/h−2 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,39 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,45 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 | Boxster S 987 | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,35 s | 1,28 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,25 s | 2,13 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,85 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,07 s | 4,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,64 s | 5,89 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,76 s | 9,50 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,15 s | 15,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,19 s | 12,66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,72 s | 22,89 s |
| Top speed | 272 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 | 314 hp | B6 |
| Torque | 361 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 380 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| 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 5.07 s for the Boxster S. At this point, the 718 Cayman leads by 0.51 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman is doing 149 km/h against 143 km/h for the Boxster S. The gap is 0.36 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Cayman crosses the line in 12.65 s versus 13.18 s. The 0.53 s gap represents roughly 26 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 199 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Cayman finishes in 22.89 s versus 23.72 s, with a 0.83 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (272 vs 274 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals share the same electronic speed cap: the Boxster S and the 718 Cayman are governed to 272 km/h. At that speed, standard-fit tyres approach their safety threshold - an industrial ceiling common to most electric vehicles in this segment. Neither car shows its true aerodynamic potential in this duel.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (4.39 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 7.54 seconds. The 0.51 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 5,07 s).
Boxster S 987 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,07 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Boxster S 987: 314 hp, ratio 4,39 kg/hp. 718 Cayman: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
Boxster S 987: 272 km/h. 718 Cayman: 274 km/h.