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AFocusvsB220iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • SpecsFocus · 220i

Ford Focus ST 280 vs BMW 220i Gran Coupe F44: 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
BMWPetrol

220i Gran Coupe F44

178 hp · 280 Nm · 1,430 kg · 2020

Result · 0–100 km/h

AFord Focus ST 280

5.68 s

Gap1.36 sin favour of Focus ST 280
BBMW 220i Gran Coupe F44

7.04 s

Summary · Caralogy simulation
MeasureFocus ST 280220i Gran Coupe F44Gap
0–100 km/h5.68 s7.04 s1.36 s · Focus ST 280
400 m standing start13.80 s15.12 s1.32 s · Focus ST 280
1,000 m standing start24.64 s27.43 s2.79 s · Focus ST 280
Top speed (electronically limited)264 km/h238 km/h26 km/h · Focus ST 280
Power-to-weight ratio5.11 kg/hp8.03 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
BMWPetrol220i Gran Coupe F44
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 280220i Gran Coupe F44
0–30 km/h1.66 s1.63 s · tight gap
0–50 km/h2.77 s2.76 s · tight gap
0–80 km/h4.37 s4.95 s
0–100 km/h5.68 s7.04 s
0–120 km/h7.28 s9.52 s
0–160 km/h11.78 s16.92 s
0–200 km/h19.05 s29.73 s
400 m standing start13.80 s15.12 s
1,000 m standing start24.64 s27.43 s
Top speed264 km/h238 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 2,92 kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power280 hpPending
Torque420 Nm
Weight1 431 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
Gearbox7-speed dual-clutch
BMW

220i Gran Coupe F44

8,03kg/hp
CharacteristicValueDetail
Power178 hp4 cyl
Torque280 Nm
Weight1 430 kgmanufacturer kerb weight
Drivetrain-
GearboxSeven-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 7.04 s for the 220i Gran Coupe. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 1.36 s and sits roughly 4 m ahead.

From 100 km/h to 400 metres

At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 122 km/h for the 220i Gran Coupe. The gap is 0.66 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 15.11 s. The 1.32 s gap represents roughly 54 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 171 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 27.42 s, with a 2.79 s lead.

What the numbers don’t tell you

Electronically capped at 238 km/h, the 220i Gran Coupe 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 8.03 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 11.19 seconds. The 1.36 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.

Compare with other alternatives

Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.

Instead of Focus ST 280
Audi A3 allstreetAudi A3 Sportback TFSI quattro S tronic 150 kW

Other duels you might be interested in

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Focus ST 280 vs Megane 4 RS 280

AudiVSBMW

A3 allstreet vs 220i Gran Coupe

FordVSPeugeot

Focus ST 280 vs 308 GTi 270

AudiVSBMW

A3 Sedan vs 220i Gran Coupe

Frequently asked questions

Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 wins (5,68 s vs 7,04 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. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 178 hp, ratio 8,03 kg/hp.

Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. 220i Gran Coupe F44: 238 km/h.