Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Cayman S wins (4,17 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.
| 718 Cayman S | Boxster S 987 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,17 s−0,91 s | 5,07 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,12 s−1,07 s | 13,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,90 s−1,82 s | 23,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 285 km/h+13 km/h | 272 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,87 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,39 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 | 718 Cayman S | Boxster S 987 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,18 s | 1,35 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,97 s | 2,25 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,21 s | 3,85 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,17 s | 5,07 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,30 s | 6,64 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,39 s | 10,76 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13,07 s | 17,15 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,12 s | 13,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 21,90 s | 23,72 s |
| Top speed | 285 km/h | 272 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 350 hp | B4 |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 314 hp | B6 |
| Torque | 361 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 380 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the 718 Cayman S hits 100 km/h in 4.17 s versus 5.07 s for the Boxster S. At this point, the 718 Cayman S leads by 0.91 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman S is doing 156 km/h against 143 km/h for the Boxster S. The gap is 0.70 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Cayman S crosses the line in 12.12 s versus 13.18 s. The 1.06 s gap represents roughly 52 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 718 Cayman S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 199 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Cayman S finishes in 21.89 s versus 23.72 s, with a 1.83 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (285 vs 272 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the 718 Cayman S is capped at 285 km/h, the Boxster S at 272 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 (3.87 kg/hp vs 4.39 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 0.91 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 S wins (4,17 s vs 5,07 s).
718 Cayman S goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,17 seconds (calibrated simulation).
718 Cayman S: 350 hp, ratio 3,87 kg/hp. Boxster S 987: 314 hp, ratio 4,39 kg/hp.
718 Cayman S: 285 km/h. Boxster S 987: 272 km/h.