"Rides like a road bike", I think is often a mis-interpreted/misused term.
For me at the least, it just describes how the bike handles and feels, esp when pedalling with force and out of saddle.
Diamond geometry mini velos/foldables do have more of this "road bike feel" (no surprise here) as opposed to middle section fold bikes like Dahon/Tern ones, from my own experience.
"Rides like a road bike" certainly does not mean "Performs like a Road bike" to me. (and I do have both)

Any good bike (stiff, decent parts, reasonable geometry) will be in that league of small bikes considered fast.

A BF PR, with its minimalist frame is certainly a good base to start make the bike lighter (by implication little bit faster than the stock)
So too a Tyrell FX, Dahon Dash, etc.