[darkpuppet]

the focus has a good chance against the Mini

'07 Mini:
curb weight: 2646
Weight distribution: 63/37
Engine displacement: 1.6L
HP: 175 (turbo'd), 120 (non turbo)
TQ: 177 (turbo'd), ~120 (non turbo?)

'08 focus:
curb weight: 2751
weight distribution: 51/49
Engine displacement: 2.0L
HP: 140
TQ: 136

technically, they should be able to boost that focus beyond anything the mini can handle, which will more than make up for any weight differential (which, if done right, should be negligible).

[edit] .. let's see how an EVO IX measures up..

EVO IX:
curb weight: 2888 lb–3086 lb
weight distribution: 60/40
Engine displacement: 2.0L
HP: 272
TQ: 294

The EVO has plenty of advantages... including AYC, A stout engine, etc. But it still has less than perfect weight distribution, and the AYC can interfere with any HP mods -- so they could easily build a laggy, overpowered beast... and to be honest, with built internals, the focus won't be THAT far behind IMO.

It shouldn't be a problem for the focus to smoke the mini -- the EVO will present a bigger challenge in my opinion.