Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Cayman S wins (4,17 s vs 4,58 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 Spyder 981 | 718 Cayman S | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,58 s | 4,17 s+0,42 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,41 s | 12,12 s+0,29 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,16 s | 21,90 s+0,26 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 288 km/h+3 km/h | 285 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,51 kg/hpbetter ratio | 3,87 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 Spyder 981 | 718 Cayman S |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,26 s | 1,18 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,11 s | 1,97 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,65 s | 3,21 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,58 s | 4,17 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 5,62 s | 5,30 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 8,74 s | 8,39 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 13,32 s | 13,07 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,41 s | 12,12 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22,16 s | 21,90 s |
| Top speed | 288 km/h | 285 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 375 hp | B6 |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 315 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | MANUAL |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 350 hp | B4 |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 355 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 4.59 s for the Boxster Spyder. At this point, the 718 Cayman S leads by 0.42 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman S is doing 156 km/h against 154 km/h for the Boxster Spyder. The gap is 0.27 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 12.41 s. The 0.29 s gap represents roughly 15 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the 718 Cayman S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 216 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Cayman S finishes in 21.89 s versus 22.15 s, with a 0.26 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (288 vs 285 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 285 km/h, the 718 Cayman S never reaches its natural aerodynamic ceiling in this duel. That’s not a physical limit of the motor - it’s a deliberate manufacturer decision, typically tied to standard-fit tyre ratings or model-range positioning.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (3.51 kg/hp vs 3.87 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 6.54 seconds. The 0.42 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 4,58 s).
Boxster Spyder 981 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,58 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Boxster Spyder 981: 375 hp, ratio 3,51 kg/hp. 718 Cayman S: 350 hp, ratio 3,87 kg/hp.
Boxster Spyder 981: 288 km/h. 718 Cayman S: 285 km/h.