Over 0–100 km/h, Cayman S 981 wins (4,89 s vs 5,19 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.
| Panamera S 970.1 | Cayman S 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,19 s | 4,89 s+0,30 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,36 s | 12,90 s+0,46 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,06 s | 23,17 s+0,89 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 276 km/h | 278 km/h−2 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,43 kg/hp | 4,00 kg/hpbetter ratio |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Panamera S 970.1 | Cayman S 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,44 s | 1,36 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,38 s | 2,26 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,89 s | 3,70 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,19 s | 4,89 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,76 s | 6,21 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,10 s | 9,92 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,09 s | 15,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,36 s | 12,90 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,06 s | 23,17 s |
| Top speed | 276 km/h | 278 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 406 hp | Aluminum block and heads |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 800 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| 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 |
Off the line, the Cayman S hits 100 km/h in 4.90 s versus 5.19 s for the Panamera S. At this point, the Cayman S leads by 0.30 s and sits roughly 3 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Cayman S is doing 147 km/h against 140 km/h for the Panamera S. The gap is 0.26 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Cayman S crosses the line in 12.90 s versus 13.35 s. The 0.45 s gap represents roughly 22 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Cayman S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 205 km/h versus 196 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Cayman S finishes in 23.17 s versus 24.06 s, with a 0.89 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (276 vs 278 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 282 km/h, the Panamera S 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 (4.43 kg/hp vs 4.00 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 7.78 seconds. The 0.30 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 S 981 wins (4,89 s vs 5,19 s).
Panamera S 970.1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,19 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera S 970.1: 406 hp, ratio 4,43 kg/hp. Cayman S 981: 330 hp, ratio 4,00 kg/hp.
Panamera S 970.1: 276 km/h. Cayman S 981: 278 km/h.