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ACaymanvsB420iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsCayman · 420i

Porsche Cayman PDK vs BMW 420i Convertible G22: 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 · 2010 vs 2021 · Methodology
PorschePetrolFaster

Cayman PDK

269 hp · 300 Nm · 1,360 kg · 2010

VS
BMWPetrol

420i Convertible G22

184 hp · 300 Nm · 1,690 kg · 2021

Result · 0–100 km/h

APorsche Cayman PDK

5.28 s

Gap2.86 sin favour of Cayman PDK
BBMW 420i Convertible G22

8.14 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureCayman PDK420i Convertible G22Gap
0–100 km/h5.28 s8.14 s2.86 s · Cayman PDK
400 m standing start13.38 s15.97 s2.59 s · Cayman PDK
1,000 m standing start24.10 s28.97 s4.87 s · Cayman PDK
Top speed (electronically limited)262 km/h236 km/h26 km/h · Cayman PDK
Power-to-weight ratio5.06 kg/hp9.18 kg/hpbetter ratio · Cayman PDK

Watch the race

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

PorschePetrolCayman PDK
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWPetrol420i Convertible G22
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.
StageCayman PDK420i Convertible G22
0–30 km/h1.43 s1.81 s
0–50 km/h2.35 s3.07 s
0–80 km/h3.88 s5.69 s
0–100 km/h5.28 s8.14 s
0–120 km/h6.79 s11.24 s
0–160 km/h11.18 s20.26 s
0–200 km/h18.02 s36.93 s
400 m standing start13.38 s15.97 s
1,000 m standing start24.10 s28.97 s
Top speed262 km/h236 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 PDK

5,06kg/hpratio better by 4,13 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power269 hp6 cyl
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 360 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainPropulsion
GearboxDUAL_CLUTCH
BMW

420i Convertible G22

9,18kg/hpcompensated by −330 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power184 hp4 cyl
Torque300 Nm
Weight1 690 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Cayman PDK hits 100 km/h in 5.28 s versus 8.14 s for the 420i Convertible. At this point, the Cayman PDK leads by 2.86 s and sits roughly 19 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Cayman PDK is doing 140 km/h against 115 km/h for the 420i Convertible. The gap is 1.59 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman PDK crosses the line in 13.38 s versus 15.96 s. The 2.59 s gap represents roughly 99 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Cayman PDK continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 161 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman PDK finishes in 24.10 s versus 28.97 s, with a 4.87 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 236 km/h, the 420i 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 (5.06 kg/hp vs 9.18 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 13.10 seconds. The 2.86 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

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Cayman PDK vs Z4 sDrive30i

AudiVSBMW

A4 40 TFSI vs 420i Convertible

PorscheVSBMW

Cayman PDK vs Z4 sDrive30i

AudiVSBMW

A5 Avant vs 420i Convertible

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman PDK wins (5,28 s vs 8,14 s).

Cayman PDK goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,28 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Cayman PDK: 269 hp, ratio 5,06 kg/hp. 420i Convertible G22: 184 hp, ratio 9,18 kg/hp.

Cayman PDK: 262 km/h. 420i Convertible G22: 236 km/h.