Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman S 981 wins (4,89 s vs 5,45 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 | Panamera 4 971 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,89 s−0,56 s | 5,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s−0,88 s | 13,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,17 s−2,05 s | 25,22 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 278 km/h+21 km/h | 257 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,00 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,08 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 | Panamera 4 971 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,36 s | 1,27 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,26 s | 2,16 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,70 s | 3,90 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,89 s | 5,45 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,21 s | 7,52 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9,92 s | 13,02 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 15,62 s | 22,27 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,90 s | 13,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,17 s | 25,22 s |
| Top speed | 278 km/h | 257 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 | 330 hp | V6 |
| Torque | 449 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 008 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the Cayman S hits 100 km/h in 4.90 s versus 5.45 s for the Panamera 4. The 0.56 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Cayman S is doing 147 km/h against 132 km/h for the Panamera 4. The gap is 0.38 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman S crosses the line in 12.90 s versus 13.78 s. The 0.88 s gap represents roughly 39 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman S finishes in 23.17 s versus 25.22 s, with a 2.05 s lead.
The Panamera 4 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cayman S’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 257 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 (4.00 kg/hp vs 6.08 kg/hp) and transmission (Unknown vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.74 seconds. The 0.56 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman S 981 wins (4,89 s vs 5,45 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. Panamera 4 971: 330 hp, ratio 6,08 kg/hp.
Cayman S 981: 278 km/h. Panamera 4 971: 257 km/h.