Xpeng X9 vs Porsche Cayman (Manual) 987: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the X9 hits 100 km/h in 3.88 s versus 5.65 s for the Cayman (Manual). The instant torque of 717 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the X9 leads by 1.77 s and sits roughly 11 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the X9 is doing 173 km/h against 135 km/h for the Cayman (Manual). The gap is 1.52 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the X9 crosses the line in 11.34 s versus 13.79 s. The 2.45 s gap represents roughly 111 m of track — a gap visible to the naked eye.

Past 400 metres, the X9 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 200 km/h versus 193 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the X9 finishes in 22.13 s versus 24.69 s, with a 2.56 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (267 km/h), the Cayman (Manual) never recovers its launch deficit.

The X9 features all-wheel drive (AWD) against the Cayman (Manual)’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 200 km/h, the X9 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.

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 8.61 seconds. The 1.77 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.