Over 0–100 km/h, 718 Cayman wins (4,56 s vs 5,75 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.
| Model S 85 | 718 Cayman | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,75 s | 4,56 s+1,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,94 s | 12,66 s+1,28 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,17 s | 22,89 s+2,28 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 201 km/h | 274 km/h−73 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,82 kg/hp | 4,45 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 | Model S 85 | 718 Cayman |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,67 s | 1,28 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,78 s | 2,13 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,46 s | 3,50 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,75 s | 4,56 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,39 s | 5,89 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 12,43 s | 9,50 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 20,22 s | 15,19 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,94 s | 12,66 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 25,17 s | 22,89 s |
| Top speed | 201 km/h | 274 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 362 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor |
| Torque | 599 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 108 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Single-speed fixed gear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 300 hp | B4 |
| Torque | 380 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 335 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the 718 Cayman hits 100 km/h in 4.56 s versus 5.75 s for the Model S 85. Despite lacking instant torque, 300 hp of power compensates. At this point, the 718 Cayman leads by 1.19 s and sits roughly 14 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the 718 Cayman is doing 149 km/h against 137 km/h for the Model S 85. The gap is 0.91 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the 718 Cayman crosses the line in 12.65 s versus 13.94 s. The 1.29 s gap represents roughly 59 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the 718 Cayman continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 206 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the 718 Cayman finishes in 22.89 s versus 25.17 s, with a 2.28 s lead.
Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Model S 85 is capped at 201 km/h, the 718 Cayman at 274 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.
Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.41 seconds. The 1.19 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, 718 Cayman wins (4,56 s vs 5,75 s).
Model S 85 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,75 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Model S 85: 362 hp, ratio 5,82 kg/hp. 718 Cayman: 300 hp, ratio 4,45 kg/hp.
Model S 85: 201 km/h. 718 Cayman: 274 km/h.