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AFocusPetrolvsB116dDiesel
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsFocus · 116d

Ford Focus ST 280 vs BMW 116d F40: 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 · 2019 vs 2020 · Methodology
FordPetrolFaster

Focus ST 280

280 hp · 420 Nm · 1,431 kg · 2019

VS
BMWDiesel

116d F40

116 hp · 270 Nm · 1,375 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Focus ST 280

5.68 s

Gap4.70 sin favour of Focus ST 280
BBMW 116d F40

10.38 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureFocus ST 280116d F40Gap
0–100 km/h5.68 s10.38 s4.70 s · Focus ST 280
400 m standing start13.80 s17.62 s3.82 s · Focus ST 280
1,000 m standing start24.64 s31.82 s7.18 s · Focus ST 280
Top speed (electronically limited)264 km/h200 km/h64 km/h · Focus ST 280
Power-to-weight ratio5.11 kg/hp11.85 kg/hpbetter ratio · Focus ST 280

Watch the race

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

FordPetrolFocus ST 280
Speed
0km/h
Timer
0,00s
Distance
0m
BMWDiesel116d F40
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 280116d F40
0–30 km/h1.66 s2.52 s
0–50 km/h2.77 s4.14 s
0–80 km/h4.37 s7.32 s
0–100 km/h5.68 s10.38 s
0–120 km/h7.28 s14.43 s
0–160 km/h11.78 s27.75 s
0–200 km/h19.05 s75.90 s
400 m standing start13.80 s17.62 s
1,000 m standing start24.64 s31.82 s
Top speed264 km/h200 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 280

5,11kg/hpratio better by 6,74 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power280 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 431 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed dual-clutch
BMW

116d F40

11,85kg/hpcompensated by −56 kg
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power116 hp3 cyl
Torque270 Nm
Weight1 375 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSix-speed manual (seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission)

The start: 0 to 100 km/h

Off the line, the Focus ST 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.68 s versus 10.38 s for the 116d. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 4.70 s and sits roughly 27 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 107 km/h for the 116d. The gap is 2.42 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Focus ST 280 crosses the line in 13.79 s versus 17.61 s. The 3.82 s gap represents roughly 133 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.

Beyond 400 metres: top speed comes into play

Past 400 metres, the Focus ST 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 148 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 31.81 s, with a 7.18 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 200 km/h, the 116d 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 (5.11 kg/hp vs 11.85 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 16.96 seconds. The 4.70 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Other duels you might be interested in

FordVSRenault

Focus ST 280 vs Megane 4 RS 280

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 116d

FordVSPeugeot

Focus ST 280 vs 308 GTi 270

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sportback vs 116d

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 wins (5,68 s vs 10,38 s).

Focus ST 280 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,68 seconds (calibrated simulation).

Focus ST 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,11 kg/hp. 116d F40: 116 hp, ratio 11,85 kg/hp.

Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. 116d F40: 200 km/h.