A top Ford exec has revealed that the company’s updated Focus ST due later this year will offer a diesel option, although this particular variant is unlikely to be offered in the U.S. market. Such a model would rival Volkswagen’s sporty Golf GTD and may prove as popular as the gasoline-powered Focus ST in fuel-conscious Europe.

The information was revealed by Ford Motor Company [NYSE:F] chief operating officer Mark Fields at this week's 2014 Geneva Motor Show, where Ford is showing the updated version of the regular Focus.

According to Auto Express, Fields confirmed the car would be powered by a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine delivering 182 horsepower, giving it 0-62 mph acceleration in about 8.0 seconds. By comparison, VW’s latest Golf GTD comes with 184 horsepower and will sprint to 62 mph in about 7.5 seconds.  

Being based on the updated version of the Focus ST, which has been spied testing in prototype form and is due for a reveal soon, the Focus ST diesel would adopt the updated Focus ST’s revised styling and modified steering system, Fields is also reported to have said.

Would you prefer a Focus ST diesel over the regular gas-powered model? Let us know in the comments below.

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