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ACayennePetrolvsBX4Diesel
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  • SpecsCayenne · X4

Porsche Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S) vs BMW X4 M40d 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 · 2012 vs 2018 · Methodology
PorschePetrol

Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)

420 hp · 550 Nm · 2,065 kg · 2012

VS
BMWDieselFaster

X4 M40d G02

326 hp · 680 Nm · 1,895 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)

5.81 s

Gap0.87 sin favour of X4 M40d
BBMW X4 M40d G02

4.94 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)X4 M40d G02Gap
0–100 km/h5.81 s4.94 s0.87 s · X4 M40d G02
400 m standing start14.00 s13.29 s0.71 s · X4 M40d G02
1,000 m standing start25.36 s24.39 s0.97 s · X4 M40d G02
Top speed (electronically limited)253 km/h250 km/h3 km/h · Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)
Power-to-weight ratio4.92 kg/hp5.81 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)

Watch the race

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

PorschePetrolCayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S)
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDieselX4 M40d 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 S (8-speed Tiptronic S)X4 M40d G02
0–30 km/h1.43 s1.25 s
0–50 km/h2.33 s2.02 s
0–80 km/h4.19 s3.53 s
0–100 km/h5.81 s4.94 s
0–120 km/h7.83 s6.72 s
0–160 km/h13.20 s11.71 s
0–200 km/h22.11 s19.89 s
400 m standing start14.00 s13.29 s
1,000 m standing start25.36 s24.39 s
Top speed limited253 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 (8-speed Tiptronic S)

4,92kg/hpratio better by 0,90 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power420 hpV8
Torque550 Nm
Weight2 065 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxUnknown
BMW

X4 M40d G02

5,81kg/hpcompensated by −170 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power326 hp6 cyl
Torque680 Nm
Weight1 895 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the X4 M40d hits 100 km/h in 4.94 s versus 5.81 s for the Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S). At this point, the X4 M40d leads by 0.87 s and sits roughly 10 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the X4 M40d is doing 137 km/h against 133 km/h for the Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S). The gap is 0.55 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X4 M40d crosses the line in 13.29 s versus 13.99 s. The 0.71 s gap represents roughly 32 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the X4 M40d continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X4 M40d finishes in 24.38 s versus 25.35 s, with a 0.97 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (253 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 (8-speed Tiptronic S) is capped at 258 km/h, the X4 M40d 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 (4.92 kg/hp vs 5.81 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.89 seconds. The 0.87 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 X4 M40d G02
Audi Q8 SUV

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PorscheVSBMW

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, X4 M40d G02 wins (4,94 s vs 5,81 s).

Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S) goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,81 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S): 420 hp, ratio 4,92 kg/hp. X4 M40d G02: 326 hp, ratio 5,81 kg/hp.

Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S): 253 km/h. X4 M40d G02: 250 km/h.