Over 0–100 km/h, Panamera Turbo 971 wins (3,54 s vs 4,89 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 Turbo 971 | Cayman S 981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 3,54 s−1,35 s | 4,89 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,45 s−1,45 s | 12,90 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,67 s−2,50 s | 23,17 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 308 km/h+30 km/h | 278 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 3,63 kg/hpbetter ratio | 4,00 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 Turbo 971 | Cayman S 981 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,04 s | 1,36 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,72 s | 2,26 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 2,74 s | 3,70 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 3,54 s | 4,89 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 4,60 s | 6,21 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 7,25 s | 9,92 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 11,09 s | 15,62 s |
| 400 m standing start | 11,45 s | 12,90 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 20,67 s | 23,17 s |
| Top speed | 308 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 | 550 hp | V8 |
| Torque | 770 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 996 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| 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 Panamera Turbo hits 100 km/h in 3.55 s versus 4.90 s for the Cayman S. At this point, the Panamera Turbo leads by 1.35 s and sits roughly 12 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Panamera Turbo is doing 163 km/h against 147 km/h for the Cayman S. The gap is 1.04 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Panamera Turbo crosses the line in 11.45 s versus 12.90 s. The 1.45 s gap represents roughly 72 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Panamera Turbo continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 228 km/h versus 205 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Panamera Turbo finishes in 20.66 s versus 23.17 s, with a 2.51 s lead.
The Panamera Turbo 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 308 km/h, the Panamera Turbo 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 (3.63 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 7.04 seconds. The 1.35 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Panamera Turbo 971 wins (3,54 s vs 4,89 s).
Panamera Turbo 971 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,54 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Panamera Turbo 971: 550 hp, ratio 3,63 kg/hp. Cayman S 981: 330 hp, ratio 4,00 kg/hp.
Panamera Turbo 971: 308 km/h. Cayman S 981: 278 km/h.