Performance Review: Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo - [2015]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Focus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2015. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad Turbo and the 2015 Koenigsegg Regera 5.0 V8 Turbo.This particular Ford Focus has a 1997cc 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 1437 kgs (3168 lbs) this makes the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 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 1997cc 16V St4 engine produces 247 bhp (184 kW) @ 5500 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 266 lb-ft (360.6 Nm) @ 2000 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 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (196.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus has a Power to weight ratio of 171.8 bhp per ton and 185.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2015 Focus competing with the 2020 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (196.7 bhp per ton) or the 2020 KIA Stinger GT2 3.3 V6 Turbo (196.7 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 185.1 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 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (210.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Tesla Model S 85 kWh (210.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo as fast as 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 or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Focus and the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop

When talking about the performance of the Ford Focus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.43 secs @ 94.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1960 Chevrolet Impala 348 Hardtop (14.37 secs), the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (14.37 secs), and the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (14.38 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2015 version of the Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 154mph.

Top Speed of the 2015 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 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo 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:

2015 Focus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison