Ford Focus ST spawns a diesel

Ford has updated its Focus ST model, and added a new variant to the range – powered by diesel.

It's not unprecedented for European manufacturers to offer hot hatches with a diesel engine, but it's a first for the Focus ST, which makes its debut in facelifted form at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.

The new Focus ST is based on the revised model range announced by Ford back in February, and will top the range until the launch of the new Focus RS.

Ford plans to run the Focus ST in the hillclimb at Goodwood, competing in the 'First Glance' category and the Focus ST will also take pride of place in a static display on the company's stand. Ford and Sony Computer Entertainment have also set up an interesting challenge – pitting the actual car competing in the real-world hillclimb event against a virtual reality car featured in Gran Turismo 6 for Playstation 3. Ben Collins (the original White Stig from UK Top Gear) will drive the real car, competing with a gamer driving the VR car.

Additionally, Ford will have its new Mustang present at Goodwood, the 2015 iteration of the company's iconic 'pony car' making its European public debut there. Two cars will be present, a 5.0-litre coupe competing in the 'Supercar Class' and a convertible on display.

With the mainstream Focus range for Australia built in Thailand, but the ST model sourced from Germany, there's a chance the new Focus ST will reach local buyers before the lower-grade models.

According to Ford Australia the Focus ST will arrive here in 2015, but it's "too soon" to say whether it will launch ahead of the mainstream Focus range. And the diesel variant is "not on our radar," according to a local spokesman.

Ford has released video (see below) of the Focus ST circulating what appears to be the company's proving ground at Lommel in Belgium.