Over 0–100 km/h, Panamera S 970.1 wins (5,16 s vs 5,52 s).
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 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,16 s−0,36 s | 5,52 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,32 s−0,32 s | 13,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,98 s−0,71 s | 24,69 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 277 km/h+24 km/h | 253 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,43 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,70 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 | Cayman 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,44 s | 1,38 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,38 s | 2,30 stight gap |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,86 s | 4,02 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,16 s | 5,52 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,68 s | 7,16 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,02 s | 12,01 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 17,87 s | 19,90 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,32 s | 13,64 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,98 s | 24,69 s |
| Top speed | 277 km/h | 253 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 | V8 |
| Torque | 500 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 800 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 279 hp | Aluminum block and heads |
| Torque | 289 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 310 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
Off the line, the Panamera S hits 100 km/h in 5.16 s versus 5.52 s for the Cayman. The 0.36 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Panamera S is doing 140 km/h against 136 km/h for the Cayman. The gap is 0.16 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Panamera S crosses the line in 13.31 s versus 13.64 s. The 0.32 s gap represents roughly 15 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 197 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Panamera S finishes in 23.98 s versus 24.68 s, with a 0.70 s lead.
Electronically capped at 283 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 4.70 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Unknown).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.30 seconds. The 0.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Panamera S 970.1 wins (5,16 s vs 5,52 s).
Panamera S 970.1 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,16 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera S 970.1: 406 hp, ratio 4,43 kg/hp. Cayman 981: 279 hp, ratio 4,70 kg/hp.
Panamera S 970.1: 277 km/h. Cayman 981: 253 km/h.