Over 0–100 km/h, Taycan wins (5,13 s vs 5,68 s).
Simulated drag race 0 → 1,000 m in real time. Synchronised speed counters and stopwatch. Physics calibration on 7 manufacturer measurements.
| Measure | Taycan | Focus ST 280 | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 5.13 s | 5.68 s | 0.55 s · Taycan |
| 400 m standing start | 13.03 s | 13.80 s | 0.77 s · Taycan |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22.91 s | 24.64 s | 1.73 s · Taycan |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 230 km/h | 264 km/h | 34 km/h · Focus ST 280 |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 5.15 kg/hp | 5.11 kg/hp | better ratio · Focus ST 280 |
Standing-start drag race, calibrated on manufacturer splits. The gap shows at each stage.
| Stage | Taycan | Focus ST 280 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1.53 s · tight gap | 1.66 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 2.55 s | 2.77 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 4.09 s | 4.37 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 5.13 s | 5.68 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6.30 s | 7.28 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 9.95 s | 11.78 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 14.43 s | 19.05 s |
| 400 m standing start | 13.03 s | 13.80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 22.91 s | 24.64 s |
| Top speed | 230 km/h | 264 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 | 402 hp | Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PSM) |
| Torque | 345 Nm | |
| Weight | 2 071 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Propulsion | |
| Gearbox | Two-speed dog-ring rear |
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 280 hp | Pending |
| Torque | 420 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 431 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | - | |
| Gearbox | 7-speed dual-clutch |
Off the line, the Taycan hits 100 km/h in 5.13 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. The instant torque of 345 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Taycan leads by 0.55 s and sits roughly 5 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Taycan is doing 148 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.45 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Taycan crosses the line in 13.02 s versus 13.79 s. The 0.77 s gap represents roughly 37 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Taycan continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 215 km/h versus 194 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Taycan finishes in 22.91 s versus 24.63 s, with a 1.73 s lead. Despite a higher top speed (264 km/h), the Focus ST 280 never recovers its launch deficit.
Electronically capped at 230 km/h, the Taycan 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 8.27 seconds. The 0.55 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.
Over 0–100 km/h, Taycan wins (5,13 s vs 5,68 s).
Taycan goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,13 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Taycan: 402 hp, ratio 5,15 kg/hp. Focus ST 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,11 kg/hp.
Taycan: 230 km/h. Focus ST 280: 264 km/h.