Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 and Boxster 987 are neck and neck (5,68 s vs 5,71 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 | Boxster 987 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s−0,03 s | 5,71 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s−0,09 s | 13,89 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s−0,39 s | 25,03 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h+3 km/h | 261 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,11 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,27 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 | Boxster 987 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,66 s | 1,50 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,77 s | 2,44 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,37 s | 4,24 stight gap |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s | 5,71 stight gap |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,28 s | 7,60 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,78 s | 12,65 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,05 s | 20,75 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s | 13,89 stight gap |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s | 25,03 s |
| Top speed | 264 km/h | 261 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 | 259 hp | B6 |
| Torque | 290 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 365 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | DUAL_CLUTCH |
Off the line, the Focus ST 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.68 s versus 5.71 s for the Boxster. The 0.03 s gap is negligible: both vehicles are neck and neck.
At 200 metres, the Boxster is doing 134 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.06 s. The gap remains stable from the start.
At 400 metres standing start, the Focus ST 280 crosses the line in 13.79 s versus 13.88 s. The 0.09 s gap represents roughly 4 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 189 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 25.03 s, with a 0.39 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (264 vs 261 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 261 km/h, the Boxster 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 5.27 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.70 seconds. The 0.03 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 Boxster 987 are neck and neck (5,68 s vs 5,71 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. Boxster 987: 259 hp, ratio 5,27 kg/hp.
Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. Boxster 987: 261 km/h.