Ford is preparing a diesel version of its Focus ST hot-hatch, following in the footsteps of VW and its Golf GTD. The announcement was reportedly been made by Mark Fields, Ford’s chief operating officer, at the Geneva Auto Show.
According to UK magazine Autoexpress, the brand’s first-ever diesel Focus ST will be powered by a 2.0-liter TDCi engine producing 182 hp (1 hp more than the Golf GTD), with the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint to be covered in 8 seconds flat (0.5 seconds slower than the Golf). CO2 emissions will be 114 g/km.
Just like the Golf GTD sources its suspension from the GTI, the Ford Focus ST diesel will get the same suspension and steering tune as its gasoline-powered sibling.
Fields also revealed that the Focus ST range will receive a series of styling updates to align itself with the facelifted Focus, with the 247hp gasoline model to feature fuel economy improvements of 7 percent. Other upgrades will include new wheels and tires, as well as a “heavily revised steering mount to reduce wheel hop and eliminate steering thump.”
The revised Focus ST lineup is expected to launch this summer in Europe. No information regarding U.S. availability of the diesel-powered Focus ST has been offered.
By Dan Mihalascu
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