Porsche Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S) 958.1 vs Porsche Boxster 987: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Boxster hits 100 km/h in 5.71 s versus 5.81 s for the Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S). The 0.10 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

At 200 metres, the Boxster is doing 134 km/h against 133 km/h for the Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S). The gap is 0.03 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Boxster crosses the line in 13.88 s versus 13.99 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Past 400 metres, the Boxster continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 189 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Boxster finishes in 25.03 s versus 25.35 s, with a 0.33 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (253 vs 261 km/h), preventing any comeback.

The Cayenne S (8-speed Tiptronic S) features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Boxster’s RWD. 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 (8-speed Tiptronic S) is capped at 258 km/h, the Boxster at 261 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 5.27 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 0.10 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.