Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 and 230i F44 are neck and neck (5,66 s vs 5,68 s, no significant gap).
Performance comparison
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
Simulation
Calibration
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
| Focus ST 280 | 230i F44 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s | 5,66 s+0,02 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s−0,10 s | 13,90 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s−0,72 s | 25,36 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h+14 km/h | 250 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,11 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,81 kg/hp |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
Simulated performance at each stage. Winner in green.
| Palier | Focus ST 280 | 230i F44 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,66 s | 1,33 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,77 s | 2,23 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,37 s | 4,00 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s | 5,66 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,28 s | 7,65 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,78 s | 13,24 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,05 s | 22,53 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s | 13,90 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s | 25,36 s |
| Top speed limited | 264 km/h | 250 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 280 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 431 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 252 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 465 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission |
Off the line, the Bmw 230i hits 100 km/h in 5.66 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. The 0.02 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Bmw 230i is doing 132 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.16 s. The gap widens compared to the 0-100.
At 400 metres standing start, the Focus ST 280 crosses the line in 13.79 s versus 13.90 s. The 0.10 s gap represents roughly 5 m of track - barely a car length.
Past 400 metres, the Focus ST 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 183 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 25.35 s, with a 0.72 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (264 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
On paper, the Focus ST 280 combines 280 hp, 420 Nm and 1,431 kg - a clear theoretical edge over the Bmw 230i. Yet the Bmw 230i launches quicker. At standstill, both motors deliver peak torque from 0 rpm: the decisive factor is no longer raw power, but available grip. If the Bmw 230i has a better traction coefficient (tyres, weight distribution, traction control calibration), it puts down more force despite inferior specs - exactly what the simulation reflects, calibrated on manufacturer 0-100 km/h times.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Bmw 230i 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 5.81 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.82 seconds. The 0.02 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Swap one of the two models to explore an equivalent duel in the same segment.
Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 and 230i F44 are neck and neck (5,66 s vs 5,68 s, no significant gap).
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. 230i F44: 252 hp, ratio 5,81 kg/hp.
Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. 230i F44: 250 km/h.