RSS Ford rolls out diesel Focus ST at Goodwood [w/poll]

[Ringo64]

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

If you're in the market for a hot hatch, there are some excellent choices at your disposal - especially if you live in Europe. But if you want a diesel, well, your choices become rather more limited. Volkswagen tends to that niche market with the Golf GTD (essentially an oil-burning version of the GTI available Stateside), but that's about the extent of it. The pleas of those looking for more diesel-burning hot hatch choices haven't fallen on deaf ears at Ford, with the Blue Oval not only rolling out a facelifted gas-powered Focus ST at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, but also a new diesel version as well.

The diesel Focus ST (which we hope and pray isn't marketed as the STD) packs a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four producing 182 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to propel the oil-burning hot hatch to 62 in 8.1 seconds en route to a top speed of 135 miles per hour. With less power and only slightly more torque, that makes the diesel Focus ST considerably slower than the gasoline one, which packs 252 hp and 270 lb-ft, runs to 62 in 6.5 seconds and tops out at 154 mph, but (in a testament to how far particulate filters have come) the diesel model cuts carbon emissions by nearly a third compared to the petrol version and returns about 50-percent better fuel economy, which makes that much more of a difference in markets where diesel is already priced better than gasoline at the pump.

For buyers who wouldn't consider anything other than a diesel, it also represents 23-percent more power than the previous top-level diesel Focus. The VW Golf GTD, for reference, offers up 181 hp (just 1 horse less), 280 lb-ft (15 fewer torques) but is somehow estimated to reach 60 in a considerably fleeter 7.4 seconds.

Regardless of engine choice, buyers get the same six-speed manual transmission and all the other enhancements introduced on the updated Focus ST, including recalibrated suspension and steering, updated front- and rear-end styling and upgraded interior equipment. Plus they'll get to choose between the five-door hatchback or extended wagon bodystyles, giving our European compatriots four configurations where American buyers only get the one. Increased utility and fuel economy aside, we're still convinced ours is the pick of the litter, and we've got our doubts that a diesel ST would sell in America. What do you think? Vote in our poll below and then have your say in Comments.

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Continue reading Ford rolls out diesel Focus ST at Goodwood [w/poll]

Ford rolls out diesel Focus ST at Goodwood [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[[ChaosweaveR]]

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo...

I so want to test drive one once they come over to us. I've had my paws on a normal Focus ST before, very curious to see how these drive.

[Young gun]

I wish someone paid me, let alone just let me, drive new cars just to get a feel for them

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I just walk into dealerships and show interest in a model and ask for test drives.

[Young gun]

I look like im 12. Doesn't work that way when you can't grow facial hair

[Ghost]

ha.