BMW 740Le xDrive iPerformance G11 vs Ford Focus ST 280: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance hits 100 km/h in 5.32 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. The instant torque of 400 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance leads by 0.36 s and sits roughly 15 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance is doing 134 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.44 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance crosses the line in 13.54 s versus 13.79 s. The 0.25 s gap represents roughly 12 m of track - two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance maxes out at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h while the Focus ST 280 keeps accelerating towards 264 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.11 s.

Around 805 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Focus ST 280 overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 14 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 24.72 s. The 0.09 s delta shows an extremely tight race.

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 740Le xDrive iPerformance 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 8.34 seconds. The 0.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.