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AFocusPetrolvsB125dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsFocus · 125d

Ford Focus ST 250 Gen3 vs BMW 125d F20LCI: 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 · 2015 vs 2018 · Methodology
FordPetrol

Focus ST 250 Gen3

250 hp · 360 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2015

VS
BMWDiesel

125d F20LCI

224 hp · 450 Nm · 1,480 kg · 2018

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Focus ST 250 Gen3

6.43 s

Gap0.05 sNot a significant gap
BBMW 125d F20LCI

6.48 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureFocus ST 250 Gen3125d F20LCIGap
0–100 km/h6.43 s6.48 s0.05 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
400 m standing start14.56 s14.68 s0.12 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
1,000 m standing start25.77 s26.40 s0.63 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Top speed (electronically limited)254 km/h240 km/h14 km/h · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Power-to-weight ratio5.56 kg/hp6.61 kg/hpbetter ratio · Focus ST 250 Gen3

Watch the race

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

FordPetrolFocus ST 250 Gen3
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel125d F20LCI
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.
StageFocus ST 250 Gen3125d F20LCI
0–30 km/h1.83 s · tight gap1.88 s
0–50 km/h3.06 s3.03 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h5.09 s4.83 s
0–100 km/h6.43 s · tight gap6.48 s
0–120 km/h8.42 s8.57 s
0–160 km/h13.56 s14.58 s
0–200 km/h21.65 s25.23 s
400 m standing start14.56 s · tight gap14.68 s
1,000 m standing start25.77 s26.40 s
Top speed254 km/h240 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.

Ford

Focus ST 250 Gen3

5,56kg/hpratio better by 1,05 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power250 hpPending
Torque360 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual
BMW

125d F20LCI

6,61kg/hpcompensated by −90 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power224 hp4 cyl
Torque450 Nm
Weight1 480 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox8-speed Steptronic

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 hits 100 km/h in 6.43 s versus 6.48 s for the 125d. The 0.05 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the 125d is doing 130 km/h against 134 km/h for the Focus ST 250 Gen3. The gap is 0.05 s. The gap remains stable from the start.

At 400 metres standing start, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 crosses the line in 14.55 s versus 14.67 s. The 0.12 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 188 km/h versus 180 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 finishes in 25.77 s versus 26.39 s, with a 0.62 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (254 vs 240 km/h), preventing any comeback.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the 125d 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 (5.56 kg/hp vs 6.61 kg/hp) and transmission (Manual vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.81 seconds. The 0.05 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

BMWVSFord

230i vs Focus ST 250 Gen3

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sedan

BMWVSFord

230i vs Focus ST 250 Gen3

BMWVSAudi

125d vs A3 Sportback

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 250 Gen3 and 125d F20LCI are neck and neck (6,43 s vs 6,48 s, no significant gap).

Focus ST 250 Gen3 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6,43 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Focus ST 250 Gen3: 250 hp, ratio 5,56 kg/hp. 125d F20LCI: 224 hp, ratio 6,61 kg/hp.

Focus ST 250 Gen3: 254 km/h. 125d F20LCI: 240 km/h.