A Porsche Cayman GTS challenges Ford’s Dark Horse Mustang in a comparison that is completely unfair. The GTS comes equipped with a factory-installed dual-clutch gearbox, while the Mustang in this case has a manual transmission. Naturally, a drag race is the chosen method of determining the winner.
As expected, the German sports car takes off and emerges victorious. However, the MotorTrend Channel, who organized the race, does not provide specific times or trap speeds. The manufacturer claims that the GTS can complete a quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds, while the Dark Horse is slightly slower at 12.6 seconds, according to the same media outlet.
In the video, it is clear that the Mustang, with its manual transmission, struggles to launch off the line. The wheel spin further hampers its performance. It is unclear whether this is a result of video editing or intentional teasing, but it seems that the driver of the Mustang shifted straight into second gear during the launch. In contrast, the Porsche smoothly accelerates towards the finish line, wasting no time.
It is evident that this test is far from fair. The Mustang boasts 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque from its Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine. Although the Cayman GTS is naturally aspirated, it falls short with only 394 horsepower and 318 lb-ft of torque.
Furthermore, the Mustang is a heavy muscle car, weighing in at 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg), while the Porsche is significantly lighter at 3,200 lbs (1,445 kg). Both cars are rear-wheel drive, but the Cayman’s weight distribution, with the engine mounted behind the driver and above the rear axle, provides better traction. Interestingly, this weight difference does not seem to affect the braking performance, which is measured by a unique metric: a standing quarter-mile followed by a full stop.
Unfortunately, the vloggers do not disclose the trap speeds of each car, making it difficult to accurately assess their performance. However, the 86-foot (28 meters) advantage in favor of the heavier Mustang seems questionable. It is worth noting that the Dark Horse has impressive braking capabilities, as previously tested by MotorTrend. A manual model of the Mustang can stop from 60 mph (97 kph) in just 90 feet (29.2 meters), only five feet (1.5 meters) short of the C8 Corvette Z06 Z07’s performance.
Image: YouTube/MotorTrend Channel
The winning combination of large 15.4-inch (391 mm) two-piece front brake rotors, Brembo calipers, and Ford’s innovative brake-by-wire system complements the wide, high-traction Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires. The Cayman GTS featured in this video does not come equipped with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, but instead utilizes the six-piston aluminum monobloc fixed brake calipers. The front discs measure 13.8 inches (350 mm) in diameter, while the rear discs measure 13.0 inches (330 mm). However, these numerical specifications alone cannot accurately determine the real-world performance of the brakes, especially when the test does not adhere to a standardized methodology.
Without a consistent benchmark, it is impossible to determine which braking system is superior. The cars should have been tested at a predetermined speed, rather than relying on the top speed achieved over the 440-yard distance (the terminal velocity of the vehicles is also undisclosed). Therefore, it is advisable to approach the video with skepticism and refrain from placing any bets on a particular outcome. It is important to remember that the Porsche logo features a horse, albeit rearing, but a horse nonetheless.
According to the Source autoevolution.com