Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman (PDK) 987 and Boxster 981 are neck and neck (5,58 s vs 5,60 s, no significant gap).
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 (PDK) 987 | Boxster 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,58 s−0,02 s | 5,60 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,65 s−0,21 s | 13,86 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,51 s−0,70 s | 25,21 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 261 km/h+9 km/h | 252 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,06 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,15 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 (PDK) 987 | Boxster 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,48 s | 1,42 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,46 s | 2,35 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,13 s | 4,14 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,58 s | 5,60 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,14 s | 7,55 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,74 s | 12,82 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,95 s | 21,85 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,65 s | 13,86 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,51 s | 25,21 s |
| Top speed | 261 km/h | 252 km/h |
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 | 1 360 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| 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 Cayman (PDK) hits 100 km/h in 5.58 s versus 5.60 s for the Boxster. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Cayman (PDK) is doing 137 km/h against 134 km/h for the Boxster. The gap is 0.04 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman (PDK) crosses the line in 13.65 s versus 13.86 s. The 0.21 s gap represents roughly 10 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman (PDK) continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 185 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman (PDK) finishes in 24.50 s versus 25.21 s, with a 0.70 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (261 vs 252 km/h), preventing any comeback.
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 (5.06 kg/hp vs 5.15 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.61 seconds. The 0.02 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 (PDK) 987 and Boxster 981 are neck and neck (5,58 s vs 5,60 s, no significant gap).
Cayman (PDK) 987 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,58 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayman (PDK) 987: 269 hp, ratio 5,06 kg/hp. Boxster 981: 259 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp.
Cayman (PDK) 987: 261 km/h. Boxster 981: 252 km/h.