Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 5,83 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.
| Panamera 970.1 | Cayman 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,83 s | 5,52 s+0,31 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,15 s | 13,64 s+0,51 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,77 s | 24,69 s+1,08 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 249 km/h | 253 km/h−4 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,79 kg/hp | 4,70 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Panamera 970.1 | Cayman 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,48 s | 1,38 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,42 s | 2,30 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,26 s | 4,02 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,83 s | 5,52 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,03 s | 7,16 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 13,96 s | 12,01 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 23,71 s | 19,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,15 s | 13,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,77 s | 24,69 s |
| Top speed | 249 km/h | 253 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 304 hp | V6 |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 760 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Unknown |
| 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 |
Off the line, the Cayman hits 100 km/h in 5.52 s versus 5.83 s for the Panamera. At this point, the Cayman leads by 0.31 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayman is doing 136 km/h against 130 km/h for the Panamera. The gap is 0.28 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman crosses the line in 13.64 s versus 14.15 s. The 0.51 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 190 km/h versus 181 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman finishes in 24.68 s versus 25.76 s, with a 1.08 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (249 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 253 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 257 km/h, the Panamera 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 (5.79 kg/hp vs 4.70 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.21 seconds. The 0.31 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 5,83 s).
Panamera 970.1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,83 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera 970.1: 304 hp, ratio 5,79 kg/hp. Cayman 981: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp.
Panamera 970.1: 249 km/h. Cayman 981: 253 km/h.