Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 wins (5,68 s vs 7,44 s).
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 | 420i F32 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s−1,76 s | 7,44 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s−1,58 s | 15,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s−3,59 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h+26 km/h | 238 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,11 kg/hpbetter ratio | 8,29 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 | 420i F32 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,66 s | 1,42 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,77 s | 2,53 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,37 s | 5,09 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s | 7,44 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,28 s | 10,39 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,78 s | 19,05 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,05 s | 35,17 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s | 15,38 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s | 28,23 s |
| Top speed | 264 km/h | 238 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 | 184 hp | 4 cyl |
| Torque | 300 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 525 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | Eight-speed Steptronic transmission |
Off the line, the Focus ST 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.68 s versus 7.44 s for the Bmw 420i. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 1.76 s and sits roughly 2 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 117 km/h for the Bmw 420i. The gap is 0.72 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 15.38 s. The 1.59 s gap represents roughly 63 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Focus ST 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 163 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 28.23 s, with a 3.59 s lead.
Electronically capped at 240 km/h, the Bmw 420i 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 8.29 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.15 seconds. The 1.76 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 wins (5,68 s vs 7,44 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. 420i F32: 184 hp, ratio 8,29 kg/hp.
Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. 420i F32: 238 km/h.