Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 wins (5,68 s vs 6,11 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 | Golf 7.5 GTI Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s−0,43 s | 6,11 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s−0,39 s | 14,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s−0,59 s | 25,23 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h+16 km/h | 248 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5,11 kg/hpbetter ratio | 6,07 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 | Golf 7.5 GTI Performance |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,66 s | 1,78 stight gap |
| 0–50 km/h | 2,77 s | 2,97 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4,37 s | 4,71 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5,68 s | 6,11 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7,28 s | 7,83 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11,78 s | 12,64 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19,05 s | 20,43 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13,80 s | 14,19 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24,64 s | 25,23 s |
| Top speed | 264 km/h | 248 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 | 230 hp | I4 |
| Torque | 350 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 395 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Traction | |
| Gearbox | DSG 7-speed |
Off the line, the Focus ST 280 hits 100 km/h in 5.68 s versus 6.11 s for the Golf 7.5 GTI Performance. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 0.43 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 136 km/h for the Golf 7.5 GTI Performance. The gap is 0.29 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 14.19 s. The 0.39 s gap represents roughly 19 m of track - two to three car lengths.
Past 400 metres, the Focus ST 280 continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 194 km/h versus 190 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 25.22 s, with a 0.59 s lead.
Electronically capped at 248 km/h, the Golf 7.5 GTI Performance 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 6.07 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.84 seconds. The 0.43 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 6,11 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. Golf 7.5 GTI Performance: 230 hp, ratio 6,07 kg/hp.
Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. Golf 7.5 GTI Performance: 248 km/h.