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  • SpecsM440i · Focus

BMW M440i xDrive F32 vs Ford Focus ST 280: 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.

saloon · 2020 vs 2019 · Methodology
BMWPetrolFaster

M440i xDrive F32

374 hp · 500 Nm · 1,740 kg · 2020

VS
FordPetrol

Focus ST 280

280 hp · 420 Nm · 1,431 kg · 2019

Result · 0–100 km/h

ABMW M440i xDrive F32

4.47 s

Gap1.21 sin favour of M440i xDrive
BFord Focus ST 280

5.68 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureM440i xDrive F32Focus ST 280Gap
0–100 km/h4.47 s5.68 s1.21 s · M440i xDrive F32
400 m standing start12.66 s13.80 s1.14 s · M440i xDrive F32
1,000 m standing start22.97 s24.64 s1.67 s · M440i xDrive F32
Top speed (electronically limited)250 km/h264 km/h14 km/h · Focus ST 280
Power-to-weight ratio4.65 kg/hp5.11 kg/hpbetter ratio · M440i xDrive F32

Watch the race

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

BMWPetrolM440i xDrive F32
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
FordPetrolFocus ST 280
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.
StageM440i xDrive F32Focus ST 280
0–30 km/h1.17 s1.66 s
0–50 km/h1.94 s2.77 s
0–80 km/h3.29 s4.37 s
0–100 km/h4.47 s5.68 s
0–120 km/h5.93 s7.28 s
0–160 km/h9.85 s11.78 s
0–200 km/h15.71 s19.05 s
400 m standing start12.66 s13.80 s
1,000 m standing start22.97 s24.64 s
Top speed limited250 km/h264 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

M440i xDrive F32

4,65kg/hpratio better by 0,46 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power374 hp6 cyl
Torque500 Nm
Weight1 740 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainIntegrale (AWD)
GearboxEight-speed Steptronic transmission
Ford

Focus ST 280

5,11kg/hpcompensated by −309 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power280 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 431 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed dual-clutch

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the M440i xDrive hits 100 km/h in 4.47 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. At this point, the M440i xDrive leads by 1.21 s and sits roughly 18 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the M440i xDrive is doing 146 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.94 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the M440i xDrive crosses the line in 12.66 s versus 13.79 s. The 1.13 s gap represents roughly 53 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the M440i xDrive continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 204 km/h versus 194 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the M440i xDrive finishes in 22.96 s versus 24.63 s, with a 1.67 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 264 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the M440i xDrive 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 (4.65 kg/hp vs 5.11 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.27 seconds. The 1.21 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

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Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, M440i xDrive F32 wins (4,47 s vs 5,68 s).

M440i xDrive F32 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,47 seconds (calibrated simulation).

M440i xDrive F32: 374 hp, ratio 4,65 kg/hp. Focus ST 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,11 kg/hp.

M440i xDrive F32: 250 km/h. Focus ST 280: 264 km/h.