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ABoxsterPetrolvsB420dDiesel
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  • SpecsBoxster · 420d

Porsche Boxster vs BMW 420d Convertible G22: 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 · 2013 vs 2021 · Methodology
PorschePetrolFaster

Boxster

269 hp · 280 Nm · 1,310 kg · 2013

VS
BMWDiesel

420d Convertible G22

190 hp · 400 Nm · 1,775 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche Boxster

5.65 s

Gap2.10 sin favour of Boxster
BBMW 420d Convertible G22

7.75 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureBoxster420d Convertible G22Gap
0–100 km/h5.65 s7.75 s2.10 s · Boxster
400 m standing start13.75 s15.64 s1.89 s · Boxster
1,000 m standing start24.76 s28.69 s3.93 s · Boxster
Top speed (electronically limited)254 km/h236 km/h18 km/h · Boxster
Power-to-weight ratio4.87 kg/hp9.34 kg/hpbetter ratio · Boxster

Watch the race

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

PorschePetrolBoxster
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel420d Convertible G22
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.
StageBoxster420d Convertible G22
0–30 km/h1.47 s · tight gap1.52 s
0–50 km/h2.46 s2.64 s
0–80 km/h4.20 s5.29 s
0–100 km/h5.65 s7.75 s
0–120 km/h7.31 s10.87 s
0–160 km/h12.05 s20.11 s
0–200 km/h19.72 s37.54 s
400 m standing start13.75 s15.64 s
1,000 m standing start24.76 s28.69 s
Top speed254 km/h236 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

Boxster

4,87kg/hpratio better by 4,47 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power269 hpAluminum block and heads
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 310 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox6-speed
BMW

420d Convertible G22

9,34kg/hpcompensated by −465 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power190 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 775 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Boxster hits 100 km/h in 5.65 s versus 7.75 s for the 420d Convertible. At this point, the Boxster leads by 2.10 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Boxster is doing 136 km/h against 116 km/h for the 420d Convertible. The gap is 1.01 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Boxster crosses the line in 13.74 s versus 15.64 s. The 1.90 s gap represents roughly 73 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Boxster continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 191 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Boxster finishes in 24.75 s versus 28.69 s, with a 3.94 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Boxster is capped at 264 km/h, the 420d Convertible at 236 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 (4.87 kg/hp vs 9.34 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.82 seconds. The 2.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

PorscheVSBMW

Boxster vs Z4 sDrive30i

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TDI vs 420d Convertible

PorscheVSBMW

Boxster vs Z4 sDrive30i

VolvoVSBMW

S60 B4 vs 420d Convertible

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Boxster wins (5,65 s vs 7,75 s).

Boxster goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Boxster: 269 hp, ratio 4,87 kg/hp. 420d Convertible G22: 190 hp, ratio 9,34 kg/hp.

Boxster: 254 km/h. 420d Convertible G22: 236 km/h.