Over 0–100 km/h, Boxster 981 wins (5,60 s vs 7,74 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 981 | 420i xDrive G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,60 s−2,14 s | 7,74 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,86 s−1,75 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,21 s−3,51 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 252 km/h+18 km/h | 234 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,15 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,64 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 981 | 420i xDrive G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,42 s | 1,38 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,35 s | 2,58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,14 s | 5,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,60 s | 7,74 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,55 s | 10,94 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,82 s | 20,29 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 21,85 s | 38,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,86 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,21 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed | 252 km/h | 234 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 | Engine block and cylinder heads formed in aluminum |
| Torque | 290 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6 speed standard |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 590 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Boxster hits 100 km/h in 5.60 s versus 7.74 s for the Bmw 420i xDrive. At this point, the Boxster leads by 2.14 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Boxster is doing 134 km/h against 115 km/h for the Bmw 420i xDrive. The gap is 0.96 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Boxster crosses the line in 13.86 s versus 15.61 s. The 1.75 s gap represents roughly 67 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Boxster continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 185 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Boxster finishes in 25.21 s versus 28.71 s, with a 3.51 s lead.
The Bmw 420i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Boxster’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 Boxster is capped at 262 km/h, the Bmw 420i xDrive at 238 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 8.64 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.85 seconds. The 2.14 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Boxster 981 wins (5,60 s vs 7,74 s).
Boxster 981 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,60 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Boxster 981: 259 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp. 420i xDrive G22: 184 hp, ratio 8,64 kg/hp.
Boxster 981: 252 km/h. 420i xDrive G22: 234 km/h.