Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman 981 wins (5,52 s vs 5,77 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 4 970.1 | Cayman 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,77 s | 5,52 s+0,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,11 s | 13,64 s+0,47 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,95 s | 24,69 s+1,26 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 247 km/h | 253 km/h−6 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,99 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 4 970.1 | Cayman 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,25 s | 1,38 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,15 s | 2,30 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,10 s | 4,02 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,77 s | 5,52 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 8,12 s | 7,16 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 14,49 s | 12,01 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 25,18 s | 19,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 14,11 s | 13,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,95 s | 24,69 s |
| Top speed | 247 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 | 1 820 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| 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 5.77 s for the Panamera 4. Despite the faster sprint time, the Panamera 4 is 1 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Cayman is doing 136 km/h against 128 km/h for the Panamera 4. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman crosses the line in 13.64 s versus 14.11 s. The 0.47 s gap represents roughly 20 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 177 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman finishes in 24.68 s versus 25.94 s, with a 1.26 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (247 vs 253 km/h), preventing any comeback.
The Panamera 4 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 256 km/h, the Panamera 4 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 (5.99 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 9.39 seconds. The 0.25 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 5,77 s).
Panamera 4 970.1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,77 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera 4 970.1: 304 hp, ratio 5,99 kg/hp. Cayman 981: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp.
Panamera 4 970.1: 247 km/h. Cayman 981: 253 km/h.