Over 0–100 km/h, Panamera S 970.1 wins (5,19 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.
| Panamera S 970.1 | Panamera 4 971 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,19 s−0,26 s | 5,45 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,36 s−0,42 s | 13,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,06 s−1,16 s | 25,22 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 276 km/h+19 km/h | 257 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,43 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 | Panamera S 970.1 | Panamera 4 971 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,44 s | 1,27 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,38 s | 2,16 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,89 s | 3,90 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,19 s | 5,45 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,76 s | 7,52 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,10 s | 13,02 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 18,09 s | 22,27 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,36 s | 13,78 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,06 s | 25,22 s |
| Top speed | 276 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 | 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 | V6 |
| Torque | 449 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 008 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the Panamera S hits 100 km/h in 5.19 s versus 5.45 s for the Panamera 4. Despite the faster sprint time, the Panamera 4 is 2 m further along the track at this moment: stronger low-speed acceleration offsets a slower run beyond 100 km/h.
At 200 metres, the Panamera S is doing 140 km/h against 132 km/h for the Panamera 4. The gap is 0.12 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Panamera S crosses the line in 13.35 s versus 13.78 s. The 0.43 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Panamera S continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 196 km/h versus 184 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Panamera S finishes in 24.06 s versus 25.22 s, with a 1.16 s lead.
The Panamera 4 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Panamera 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.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Panamera S is capped at 282 km/h, the Panamera 4 at 257 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 (4.43 kg/hp vs 6.08 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.74 seconds. The 0.26 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, Panamera S 970.1 wins (5,19 s vs 5,45 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. Panamera 4 971: 330 hp, ratio 6,08 kg/hp.
Panamera S 970.1: 276 km/h. Panamera 4 971: 257 km/h.