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  • Specs128ti · Focus

BMW 128ti F40 vs Ford Focus ST 250 Gen3: which is truly faster?

Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.

compact · 2020 vs 2015 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

128ti F40

265 hp · 400 Nm · 1,445 kg · 2020

VS
FordPetrol

Focus ST 250 Gen3

250 hp · 360 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2015

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW 128ti F40

6.27 s

Gap0.16 sin favour of 128ti
BFord Focus ST 250 Gen3

6.43 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
Measure128ti F40Focus ST 250 Gen3Gap
0–100 km/h6.27 s6.43 s0.16 s · 128ti F40
400 m standing start14.44 s14.56 s0.12 s · 128ti F40
1,000 m standing start25.87 s25.77 s0.10 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h254 km/h4 km/h · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Power-to-weight ratio5.45 kg/hp5.56 kg/hpbetter ratio · 128ti F40

Watch the race

Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.

BMWPetrol128ti F40
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
FordPetrolFocus ST 250 Gen3
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
100 m
200 m
300 m
400 m
500 m
600 m
700 m
800 m
900 m
1000 m
0m → 1000m
Gap0m

Stage-by-stage comparison

Simulated performance at each stage. Best value in bold.
Stage128ti F40Focus ST 250 Gen3
0–30 km/h1.81 s · tight gap1.83 s
0–50 km/h3.01 s · tight gap3.06 s
0–80 km/h4.76 s5.09 s
0–100 km/h6.27 s6.43 s
0–120 km/h8.20 s8.42 s
0–160 km/h13.63 s13.56 s · tight gap
0–200 km/h22.97 s21.65 s
400 m standing start14.44 s · tight gap14.56 s
1,000 m standing start25.87 s25.77 s · tight gap
Top speed limited250 km/h254 km/h

Parameters and assumptions

Simulation

Start
Standing, straight line
Surface
Dry asphalt, 23°C
Wind
None
Driver
1 person, 75 kg

Calibration

Splits
0–100, 0–200 manufacturer
Power curve
Real measurement (Caralogy)
VMax
Manufacturer limited
Transmission
Losses integrated in model

Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.

Under the bonnet

Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.

BMW

128ti F40

5,45kg/hpratio better by 0,11 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power265 hp4 cyl
Torque400 Nm
Weight1 445 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission
Ford

Focus ST 250 Gen3

5,56kg/hpcompensated by −55 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power250 hpPending
Torque360 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the 128ti hits 100 km/h in 6.27 s versus 6.43 s for the Focus ST 250 Gen3. At this point, the 128ti leads by 0.16 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 128ti is doing 132 km/h against 134 km/h for the Focus ST 250 Gen3. The gap is 0.17 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the 128ti crosses the line in 14.44 s versus 14.55 s. The 0.11 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. Past 400 metres, both rivals hit the same electronic ceiling at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h. Neither can claw back ground through top speed - the outcome hinges on the acceleration curve between 100 and 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h.

At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 finishes in 25.77 s versus 25.86 s. The 0.09 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the 128ti 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 (5.45 kg/hp vs 5.56 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Manual).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.42 seconds. The 0.16 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Focus ST 250 Gen3
Peugeot 308 GTi 270Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kW

Other duels you might be interested in

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128ti vs A3 allstreet

BMWVSFord

230i vs Focus ST 250 Gen3

BMWVSAudi

128ti vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSFord

230i vs Focus ST 250 Gen3

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, 128ti F40 wins (6,27 s vs 6,43 s).

128ti F40 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,27 seconds (calibrated simulation).

128ti F40: 265 hp, ratio 5,45 kg/hp. Focus ST 250 Gen3: 250 hp, ratio 5,56 kg/hp.

128ti F40: 250 km/h. Focus ST 250 Gen3: 254 km/h.