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ACayennevsBX4Petrol
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  • SpecsCayenne · X4

Porsche Cayenne S vs BMW X4 M40i G02: 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.

large SUV · 2015 vs 2018 · Methodology
PorschePetrol

Cayenne S

420 hp · 550 Nm · 2,085 kg · 2015

VS
BMWPetrolFaster

X4 M40i G02

354 hp · 500 Nm · 1,825 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche Cayenne S

5.13 s

Gap0.37 sin favour of X4 M40i
BBMW X4 M40i G02

4.75 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCayenne SX4 M40i G02Gap
0–100 km/h5.13 s4.75 s0.37 s · X4 M40i G02
400 m standing start13.45 s13.00 s0.45 s · X4 M40i G02
1,000 m standing start24.50 s23.61 s0.89 s · X4 M40i G02
Top speed (electronically limited)251 km/h250 km/h1 km/h · Cayenne S
Power-to-weight ratio4.96 kg/hp5.16 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cayenne S

Watch the race

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

PorschePetrolCayenne S
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrolX4 M40i G02
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.
StageCayenne SX4 M40i G02
0–30 km/h1.26 s · tight gap1.28 s
0–50 km/h2.11 s · tight gap2.12 s
0–80 km/h3.81 s3.51 s
0–100 km/h5.13 s4.75 s
0–120 km/h7.09 s6.32 s
0–160 km/h11.79 s10.58 s
0–200 km/h19.60 s17.20 s
400 m standing start13.45 s13.00 s
1,000 m standing start24.50 s23.61 s
Top speed limited251 km/h250 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

Cayenne S

4,96kg/hpratio better by 0,19 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power420 hpV6
Torque550 Nm
Weight2 085 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxTORQUE_CONVERTER
BMW

X4 M40i G02

5,16kg/hpcompensated by −260 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power354 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 825 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the X4 M40i hits 100 km/h in 4.76 s versus 5.13 s for the Cayenne S. At this point, the X4 M40i leads by 0.37 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the X4 M40i is doing 143 km/h against 137 km/h for the Cayenne S. The gap is 0.28 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the X4 M40i crosses the line in 12.99 s versus 13.45 s. The 0.46 s gap represents roughly 21 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the X4 M40i continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 191 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X4 M40i finishes in 23.60 s versus 24.50 s, with a 0.90 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (251 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Cayenne S is capped at 257 km/h, the X4 M40i 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 (4.96 kg/hp vs 5.16 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.11 seconds. The 0.37 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Cayenne S
Porsche Macan S
Instead of X4 M40i G02
Audi Q8 SUV

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Cayenne S vs Q7 SUV

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PorscheVSAudi

Cayenne S vs Q7 SUV

PorscheVSBMW

Macan GTS vs X4 M40i

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, X4 M40i G02 wins (4,75 s vs 5,13 s).

Cayenne S goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Cayenne S: 420 hp, ratio 4,96 kg/hp. X4 M40i G02: 354 hp, ratio 5,16 kg/hp.

Cayenne S: 251 km/h. X4 M40i G02: 250 km/h.