Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman (Manual) 987 and Boxster 981 are neck and neck (5,60 s vs 5,65 s, no significant gap).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Cayman (Manual) 987 | Boxster 981 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.65 s | 5.60 s | 0.05 s · Boxster 981 |
| 400 m standing start | 13.79 s | 13.86 s | 0.07 s · Cayman (Manual) 987 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.69 s | 25.21 s | 0.52 s · Cayman (Manual) 987 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 267 km/h | 252 km/h | 15 km/h · Cayman (Manual) 987 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4.94 kg/hp | 5.15 kg/hp | better ratio · Cayman (Manual) 987 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Cayman (Manual) 987 | Boxster 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.41 s · tight gap | 1.42 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.35 s | 2.35 s · tight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.33 s | 4.14 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.65 s | 5.60 s · tight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 7.58 s | 7.55 s · tight gap |
| 0–160 km/h | 12.00 s | 12.82 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19.16 s | 21.85 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.79 s · tight gap | 13.86 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.69 s | 25.21 s |
| Top speed | 267 km/h | 252 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 269 hp | 6 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 330 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | MANUAL |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 259 hp | Engine block and cylinder heads formed in aluminum |
| Torque | 290 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6 speed standard |
Off the line, the Boxster hits 100 km/h in 5.60 s versus 5.65 s for the Cayman (Manual). The 0.05 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Boxster is doing 134 km/h against 135 km/h for the Cayman (Manual). The gap is 0.04 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman (Manual) crosses the line in 13.79 s versus 13.86 s. The 0.07 s gap represents roughly 3 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman (Manual) continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 193 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman (Manual) finishes in 24.69 s versus 25.21 s, with a 0.51 s lead.
On paper, the Cayman (Manual) combines 269 hp, 300 Nm and 1,330 kg - a clear theoretical edge over the Boxster. Yet the Boxster launches quicker. At standstill, both motors deliver peak torque from 0 rpm: the decisive factor is no longer raw power, but available grip. If the Boxster has a better traction coefficient (tyres, weight distribution, traction control calibration), it puts down more force despite inferior specs - exactly what the simulation reflects, calibrated on manufacturer 0-100 km/h times.
Electronically capped at 262 km/h, the Boxster 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 (4.94 kg/hp vs 5.15 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.61 seconds. The 0.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman (Manual) 987 and Boxster 981 are neck and neck (5,60 s vs 5,65 s, no significant gap).
Cayman (Manual) 987 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,65 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayman (Manual) 987: 269 hp, ratio 4,94 kg/hp. Boxster 981: 259 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp.
Cayman (Manual) 987: 267 km/h. Boxster 981: 252 km/h.