Over 0–100 km/h, Golf 7.5 R wins (4,53 s vs 5,68 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.
| Golf 7.5 R | Focus ST 280 | |
|---|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | 4,53 s−1,15 s | 5,68 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,77 s−1,03 s | 13,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,30 s−1,34 s | 24,64 s |
| Top speed (electronically limited) | 250 km/h | 264 km/h−14 km/h |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 4,73 kg/hpbetter ratio | 5,11 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 | Golf 7.5 R | Focus ST 280 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 km/h | 1,09 s | 1,66 s |
| 0–50 km/h | 1,83 s | 2,77 s |
| 0–80 km/h | 3,23 s | 4,37 s |
| 0–100 km/h | 4,53 s | 5,68 s |
| 0–120 km/h | 6,10 s | 7,28 s |
| 0–160 km/h | 10,31 s | 11,78 s |
| 0–200 km/h | 16,67 s | 19,05 s |
| 400 m standing start | 12,77 s | 13,80 s |
| 1,000 m standing start | 23,30 s | 24,64 s |
| Top speed limited | 250 km/h | 264 km/h |
Manufacturer technical specifications. The power-to-weight ratio is the key physical factor in a drag race.
| Characteristic | Value | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 310 hp | I4 |
| Torque | 400 Nm | |
| Weight | 1 467 kg | manufacturer kerb weight |
| Drivetrain | Integrale (AWD) | |
| Gearbox | DSG 7-speed |
| 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 Golf 7.5 R hits 100 km/h in 4.53 s versus 5.68 s for the Focus ST 280. At this point, the Golf 7.5 R leads by 1.15 s and sits roughly 20 m ahead.
At 200 metres, the Golf 7.5 R is doing 143 km/h against 139 km/h for the Focus ST 280. The gap is 0.92 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.
At 400 metres standing start, the Golf 7.5 R crosses the line in 12.76 s versus 13.79 s. The 1.03 s gap represents roughly 49 m of track - a gap visible to the naked eye.
Past 400 metres, the Golf 7.5 R continues to build its lead. At 600 metres, it runs at 199 km/h versus 194 km/h. At 1,000 metres, the Golf 7.5 R finishes in 23.29 s versus 24.63 s, with a 1.34 s lead. Both vehicles have similar top speeds (250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) vs 264 km/h), preventing any comeback.
Electronically capped at 250 (i.e. 155 mph - industry threshold) km/h, the Golf 7.5 R 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 (4.73 kg/hp vs 5.11 kg/hp) and transmission (Automatic vs Automatic).
In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 8.27 seconds. The 1.15 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, Golf 7.5 R wins (4,53 s vs 5,68 s).
Golf 7.5 R goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,53 seconds (calibrated simulation).
Golf 7.5 R: 310 hp, ratio 4,73 kg/hp. Focus ST 280: 280 hp, ratio 5,11 kg/hp.
Golf 7.5 R: 250 km/h. Focus ST 280: 264 km/h.