Over 0–100 km/h, S3 Sedan wins (4,63 s vs 5,28 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 971 | S3 Sedan | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,28 s | 4,63 s+0,65 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,58 s | 13,08 s+0,50 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,66 s | 23,69 s+0,97 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h+14 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,42 kg/hp | 4,61 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 971 | S3 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,40 s | 1,20 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,30 s | 2,00 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,87 s | 3,37 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,28 s | 4,63 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,13 s | 6,64 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,03 s | 10,96 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,06 s | 17,37 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,58 s | 13,08 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,66 s | 23,69 s |
| Top speed limited | 264 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 335 hp | V6 |
| Torque | 449 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 815 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 333 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 535 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed S tronic |
Off the line, the S3 Sedan hits 100 km/h in 4.63 s versus 5.28 s for the Panamera. At this point, the S3 Sedan leads by 0.65 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the S3 Sedan is doing 138 km/h against 136 km/h for the Panamera. The gap is 0.37 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the S3 Sedan crosses the line in 13.08 s versus 13.57 s. The 0.49 s gap represents roughly 23 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the S3 Sedan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 198 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the S3 Sedan finishes in 23.69 s versus 24.66 s, with a 0.97 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (264 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
The S3 Sedan features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Panamera’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.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Panamera is capped at 264 km/h, the S3 Sedan at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit - it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.
With two combustion powertrains, the difference comes down to power-to-weight ratio (5.42 kg/hp vs 4.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.22 seconds. The 0.65 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, S3 Sedan wins (4,63 s vs 5,28 s).
Panamera 971 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,28 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera 971: 335 hp, ratio 5,42 kg/hp. S3 Sedan: 333 hp, ratio 4,61 kg/hp.
Panamera 971: 264 km/h. S3 Sedan: 250 km/h.