Over 0–100 km/h, Cayenne S wins (5,73 s vs 8,89 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Cayenne S | CLA 180 Saloon | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.73 s | 8.89 s | 3.16 s · Cayenne S |
| 400 m standing start | 13.92 s | 16.44 s | 2.52 s · Cayenne S |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25.21 s | 29.95 s | 4.74 s · Cayenne S |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 255 km/h | 218 km/h | 37 km/h · Cayenne S |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.92 kg/hp | 10.87 kg/hp | better ratio · Cayenne S |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Cayenne S | CLA 180 Saloon |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.41 s | 1.75 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.31 s | 3.07 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.14 s | 6.05 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.73 s | 8.89 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7.71 s | 12.40 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12.97 s | 22.81 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 21.63 s | 42.16 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.92 s | 16.44 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25.21 s | 29.95 s |
| Top speed | 255 km/h | 218 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 420 hp | Engine block and cylinder heads formed in aluminum |
| Torque | 550 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 065 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 156 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 280 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 695 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
Off the line, the Cayenne S hits 100 km/h in 5.73 s versus 8.89 s for the CLA 180 Saloon. At this point, the Cayenne S leads by 3.16 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayenne S is doing 133 km/h against 111 km/h for the CLA 180 Saloon. The gap is 1.54 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayenne S crosses the line in 13.92 s versus 16.44 s. The 2.52 s gap represents roughly 93 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Cayenne S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 186 km/h versus 155 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayenne S finishes in 25.21 s versus 29.94 s, with a 4.74 s lead.
The Cayenne S features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the CLA 180 Saloon’s FWD. 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 Cayenne S is capped at 258 km/h, the CLA 180 Saloon at 218 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 (4.92 kg/hp vs 10.87 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 14.63 seconds. The 3.16 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cayenne S wins (5,73 s vs 8,89 s).
Cayenne S goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,73 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayenne S: 420 hp, ratio 4,92 kg/hp. CLA 180 Saloon: 156 hp, ratio 10,87 kg/hp.
Cayenne S: 255 km/h. CLA 180 Saloon: 218 km/h.