Over 0–100 km/h, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,35 s vs 5,71 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 987 | Z4 sDrive30i G29 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,71 s | 5,35 s+0,37 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,00 s | 13,60 s+0,40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,25 s | 24,60 s+0,65 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 244 km/h | 250 km/h−6 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,15 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,48 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 987 | Z4 sDrive30i G29 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,41 s | 1,44 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,33 s | 2,40 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,29 s | 3,96 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,71 s | 5,35 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,87 s | 7,11 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 13,10 s | 11,95 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 21,41 s | 19,65 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,00 s | 13,60 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,25 s | 24,60 s |
| Top speed limited | 244 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 259 hp | B6 |
| Torque | 290 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 258 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 415 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i hits 100 km/h in 5.35 s versus 5.72 s for the Boxster. At this point, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i leads by 0.37 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i is doing 137 km/h against 132 km/h for the Boxster. The gap is 0.24 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i crosses the line in 13.60 s versus 13.99 s. The 0.40 s gap represents roughly 18 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 187 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i finishes in 24.59 s versus 25.24 s, with a 0.65 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (244 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Boxster is capped at 262 km/h, the Bmw Z4 sDrive30i at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) 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 (5.15 kg/hp vs 5.48 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.00 seconds. The 0.37 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, Z4 sDrive30i G29 wins (5,35 s vs 5,71 s).
Boxster 987 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,71 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Boxster 987: 259 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp. Z4 sDrive30i G29: 258 hp, ratio 5,48 kg/hp.
Boxster 987: 244 km/h. Z4 sDrive30i G29: 250 km/h.