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AFocusPetrolvsBGolf 7PHEV
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsFocus · Golf 7

Ford Focus ST 250 Gen3 vs Volkswagen Golf 7 GTE: 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 2015 · Methodology
FordPetrolFaster

Focus ST 250 Gen3

250 hp · 360 Nm · 1,390 kg · 2015

VS
VolkswagenPHEV

Golf 7 GTE

204 hp · 350 Nm · 1,614 kg · 2015

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Focus ST 250 Gen3

6.43 s

Gap1.23 sin favour of Focus ST 250 Gen3
BVolkswagen Golf 7 GTE

7.66 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureFocus ST 250 Gen3Golf 7 GTEGap
0–100 km/h6.43 s7.66 s1.23 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
400 m standing start14.56 s15.54 s0.98 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
1,000 m standing start25.77 s27.24 s1.47 s · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Top speed (electronically limited)254 km/h222 km/h32 km/h · Focus ST 250 Gen3
Power-to-weight ratio5.56 kg/hp7.91 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
VolkswagenPHEVGolf 7 GTE
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 Gen3Golf 7 GTE
0–30 km/h1.83 s2.30 s
0–50 km/h3.06 s3.83 s
0–80 km/h5.09 s6.06 s
0–100 km/h6.43 s7.66 s
0–120 km/h8.42 s9.67 s
0–160 km/h13.56 s15.49 s
0–200 km/h21.65 s25.87 s
400 m standing start14.56 s15.54 s
1,000 m standing start25.77 s27.24 s
Top speed254 km/h222 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 2,35 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power250 hpPending
Torque360 Nm
Weight1 390 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox6-speed manual
Volkswagen

Golf 7 GTE

7,91kg/hpcompensated by −224 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power204 hpInline-4 Turbo TSI
Torque350 Nm
Weight1 614 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
DrivetrainTraction
GearboxDSG 6-speed

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 hits 100 km/h in 6.43 s versus 7.66 s for the Golf 7 GTE. Despite lacking instant torque, 250 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 leads by 1.23 s and sits roughly 16 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 is doing 134 km/h against 128 km/h for the Golf 7 GTE. The gap is 0.79 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Focus ST 250 Gen3 crosses the line in 14.55 s versus 15.54 s. The 0.99 s gap represents roughly 43 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

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 27.24 s, with a 1.47 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 222 km/h, the Golf 7 GTE 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 10.88 seconds. The 1.23 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

AudiVSVolkswagen

A3 allstreet vs Golf 7 GTE

BMWVSFord

230i vs Focus ST 250 Gen3

AudiVSVolkswagen

A3 Sportback TFSI e 150 kW vs Golf 7 GTE

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 250 Gen3 wins (6,43 s vs 7,66 s).

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. Golf 7 GTE: 204 hp, ratio 7,91 kg/hp.

Focus ST 250 Gen3: 254 km/h. Golf 7 GTE: 222 km/h.