This is another episode in the endless debate about what’s more important between power and weight, with the actors being the lightweight Caterham Roadsport 140 and the powerful Porsche Cayman S.
UK magazine EVO arranged for a 1 km (0.62-mile) drag race between the two rear-wheel drive sports cars, which have roughly the same power-to-weight ratio.
With 140 horsepower from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and 550 kg (1,212 lbs), the Caterham has a power-to-weight ratio of 255 hp per ton. The Porsche Cayman S has 325 hp from a 3.4-liter six-cylinder boxer engine and tips the scales at 1,320 kg (2,910 lbs), hence a power-to-weight ratio of 246 hp per ton.
If power-to-weight ratio were the decisive factor in drag racing, on paper the Caterham should marginally win the drag race with the Porsche. To find out whether that was the case, scroll down to watch the video.
By Dan Mihalascu
VIDEO