Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Boxster wins (4,64 s vs 4,89 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.
| Cayman S 981 | 718 Boxster | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,89 s | 4,64 s+0,25 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s | 12,76 s+0,14 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,17 s | 23,08 s+0,09 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 278 km/h+4 km/h | 274 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,00 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,45 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 S 981 | 718 Boxster |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,28 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,26 s | 2,13 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,70 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,89 s | 4,64 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,21 s | 6,02 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,92 s | 9,81 stight gap |
| 0–200 km/h | 15,62 s | 15,72 stight gap |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s | 12,76 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,17 s | 23,08 stight gap |
| Top speed | 278 km/h | 274 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 330 hp | Aluminum block and heads |
| Torque | 369 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 320 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 300 hp | B4 |
| Torque | 380 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the 718 Boxster hits 100 km/h in 4.65 s versus 4.90 s for the Cayman S. At this point, the 718 Boxster leads by 0.25 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 718 Boxster is doing 147 km/h against 147 km/h for the Cayman S. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Boxster crosses the line in 12.76 s versus 12.90 s. The 0.14 s gap represents roughly 7 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the gap narrows.
At 1,000 metres, the 718 Boxster finishes in 23.08 s versus 23.17 s, with just 0.09 s to spare. The Cayman S fails to fully close the launch gap.
Electronically capped at 274 km/h, the 718 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 (4.00 kg/hp vs 4.45 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.04 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, 718 Boxster wins (4,64 s vs 4,89 s).
Cayman S 981 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,89 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Cayman S 981: 330 hp, ratio 4,00 kg/hp. 718 Boxster: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
Cayman S 981: 278 km/h. 718 Boxster: 274 km/h.