Ford Focus ST 280 vs Renault Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Focus ST 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.68 s versus 9.44 s for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. Despite lacking instant torque, 280 hp of power compensates. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 3.76 s and sits roughly 25 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 111 km/h for the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50. The gap is 2.06 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 17.08 s. The 3.29 s gap represents roughly 118 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 140 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 32.53 s, with a 7.90 s lead.

Electronically capped at 140 km/h, the Zoe R135 E-Tech Z.E.50 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.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 15.57 seconds. The 3.76 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.