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ACaymanvsB230iPetrol
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  • SpecsCayman · 230i

Porsche Cayman vs BMW 230i Convertible F22: 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.

sports car · 2014 vs 2018 · Methodology
PorschePetrolFaster

Cayman

279 hp · 289 Nm · 1,310 kg · 2014

VS
BMWPetrol

230i Convertible F22

252 hp · 350 Nm · 1,575 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche Cayman

5.52 s

Gap0.34 sin favour of Cayman
BBMW 230i Convertible F22

5.86 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCayman230i Convertible F22Gap
0–100 km/h5.52 s5.86 s0.34 s · Cayman
400 m standing start13.64 s14.21 s0.57 s · Cayman
1,000 m standing start24.69 s26.01 s1.32 s · Cayman
Top speed (electronically limited)253 km/h250 km/h3 km/h · Cayman
Power-to-weight ratio4.70 kg/hp6.25 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cayman

Watch the race

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

PorschePetrolCayman
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol230i Convertible F22
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.
StageCayman230i Convertible F22
0–30 km/h1.38 s · tight gap1.38 s
0–50 km/h2.30 s2.29 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.02 s4.18 s
0–100 km/h5.52 s5.86 s
0–120 km/h7.16 s8.10 s
0–160 km/h12.01 s14.44 s
0–200 km/h19.90 s24.93 s
400 m standing start13.64 s14.21 s
1,000 m standing start24.69 s26.01 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

Cayman

4,70kg/hpratio better by 1,55 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power279 hpAluminum block and heads
Torque289 Nm
Weight1 310 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
Gearbox6-speed
BMW

230i Convertible F22

6,25kg/hpcompensated by −265 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power252 hp4 cyl
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 575 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Cayman hits 100 km/h in 5.52 s versus 5.86 s for the 230i Convertible. At this point, the Cayman leads by 0.34 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Cayman is doing 136 km/h against 129 km/h for the 230i Convertible. The gap is 0.25 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman crosses the line in 13.64 s versus 14.21 s. The 0.57 s gap represents roughly 25 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 178 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman finishes in 24.68 s versus 26.01 s, with a 1.32 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

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 230i Convertible 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 (4.70 kg/hp vs 6.25 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.32 seconds. The 0.34 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 230i Convertible F22
BMW Z4 sDrive30iBMW Z4 sDrive30i

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman wins (5,52 s vs 5,86 s).

Cayman goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,52 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Cayman: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp. 230i Convertible F22: 252 hp, ratio 6,25 kg/hp.

Cayman: 253 km/h. 230i Convertible F22: 250 km/h.