Performance Review: Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Focus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Ford Focus has a 1999cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Focus shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Focus's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1362 kgs (3002 lbs) this makes the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Focus shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1999cc 16V St4 engine produces 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 3000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 251 lb-ft (340.3 Nm) @ 1750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Focus you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (208.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus has a Power to weight ratio of 183.5 bhp per ton and 184.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 Focus competing with the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (208.4 bhp per ton) or the 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 996 (208.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Focus generating around 184.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (209.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Porsche 911 Targa 4S 991 (209.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Focus and the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG

When talking about the performance of the Ford Focus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.13 secs @ 96.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Seat Leon Cupra 280 DSG (14.07 secs), the 2003 Nissan 350Z 300 GT Coupe (14.08 secs), and the 2003 Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (14.08 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 has a maximum speed of 154mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 Focus equals the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Ford Focus 2.0 ST-3 then how about the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph), the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (165 mph), or the 2017 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Mountune FPM375 (165 mph).

Related Links:

2011 Focus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison