A new report suggests Ford will unveil a diesel variant of the Focus ST, aimed squarely at the Volkswagen Golf GTD.
According to AutoExpress (hat tip to Jalopnik), the announcement was made at a dinner during yesterday’s Geneva Motor Show by Mark Fields, Ford’s chief operating officer.
If the diesel Focus ST becomes a reality, it will likely be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-four, pumping out 182 horsepower and complete the zero-to-100 km/h sprint in eight seconds flat. For comparison’s sake, the Volkswagen Golf GTD produces 181 horsepower from its 2.0-litre turbo-four, but is quicker to 100 km/h by 0.5 seconds. Fields didn’t suggest any torque figures, but the Golf GTD and gasoline Focus ST are rated at 280 and 270 lb.-ft., respectively.
Although images haven’t been released just yet, Fields says the Focus ST also receives a refresh for 2015. Among the changes are a handful of updates, including tweaked styling and a new set of wheels. In addition, the refreshed Focus ST is said to receive a seven per cent improvement in fuel economy for the gasoline variant, as well as a revised steering wheel mount to improve steering feel and reduce wheel hop.
