Over 0–100 km/h, Focus ST 280 wins (5,68 s vs 6,32 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Focus ST 280 | Golf 8 GTI | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.68 s | 6.32 s | 0.64 s · Focus ST 280 |
| 400 m standing start | 13.80 s | 14.40 s | 0.60 s · Focus ST 280 |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.64 s | 25.61 s | 0.97 s · Focus ST 280 |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 264 km/h | 250 km/h | 14 km/h · Focus ST 280 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.11 kg/hp | 5.84 kg/hp | better ratio · Focus ST 280 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Focus ST 280 | Golf 8 GTI |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.66 s | 1.83 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.77 s | 3.06 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.37 s | 4.87 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.68 s | 6.32 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 7.28 s | 8.12 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 11.78 s | 13.21 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 19.05 s | 21.58 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.80 s | 14.40 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 24.64 s | 25.61 s |
| Top speed limited | 264 km/h | 250 km/h |
Physics model calibrated on manufacturer splits. The limited top speed is not the real aerodynamic top speed of the vehicles.
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 | 245 hp | I4 |
| Torque | 370 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 432 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 6.32 s for the Golf 8 GTI. At this point, the Focus ST 280 leads by 0.64 s and sits roughly 8 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Focus ST 280 is doing 139 km/h against 134 km/h for the Golf 8 GTI. The gap is 0.44 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 14.40 s. The 0.61 s gap represents roughly 28 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 188 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Focus ST 280 finishes in 24.63 s versus 25.61 s, with a 0.98 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (264 vs 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Golf 8 GTI 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 5.84 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 9.19 seconds. The 0.64 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 6,32 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 8 GTI: 245 hp, ratio 5,84 kg/hp.
Focus ST 280: 264 km/h. Golf 8 GTI: 250 km/h.