Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 7,74 s).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Cayman 981 | 420i xDrive G22 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,52 s−2,22 s | 7,74 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,64 s−1,97 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,69 s−4,03 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 253 km/h+19 km/h | 234 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,70 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,64 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Cayman 981 | 420i xDrive G22 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,38 s | 1,38 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,30 s | 2,58 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,02 s | 5,26 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,52 s | 7,74 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,16 s | 10,94 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,01 s | 20,29 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,90 s | 38,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,64 s | 15,61 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,69 s | 28,72 s |
| Top speed | 253 km/h | 234 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 279 hp | Aluminum block and heads |
| Torque | 289 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 310 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 184 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 590 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Cayman hits 100 km/h in 5.52 s versus 7.74 s for the Bmw 420i xDrive. At this point, the Cayman leads by 2.22 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayman is doing 136 km/h against 115 km/h for the Bmw 420i xDrive. The gap is 1.08 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman crosses the line in 13.64 s versus 15.61 s. The 1.97 s gap represents roughly 76 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 160 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman finishes in 24.68 s versus 28.71 s, with a 4.03 s lead.
The Bmw 420i xDrive features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cayman’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.
Electronically capped at 238 km/h, the Bmw 420i xDrive 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 8.64 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.85 seconds. The 2.22 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 7,74 s).
Cayman 981 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,52 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayman 981: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp. 420i xDrive G22: 184 hp, ratio 8,64 kg/hp.
Cayman 981: 253 km/h. 420i xDrive G22: 234 km/h.