Americans are finally starting to warm up to diesel engines, though Europe has long enjoyed the benefits of torquey and efficient oil burners. This has prompted automakers like Volkswagen to add diesel-powered hot hatchbacks to their lineup, with cars like the Golf GTD providing exceptional fuel economy in a fast(-ish) and affordable vehicle.

Ford has stepped up to answer the Golf GTD with a diesel version of the popular Focus ST reports Auto Express. With less horsepower but better fuel economy, it could be a great compromise at a time when fuel prices are only getting higher. Let’s just hope Ford doesn’t call it the Focus STD.

The Focus ST diesel replaces the 2.0 liter, 252 horsepower EcoBoost gas engine with a 2.0 liter turbodiesel. While the 182 horsepower rating is lower than the EcoBoost engine, it’s 1 whole horsepower more than the Golf GTD. 0 to 60 MPH takes about 8 seconds, a half-second slower than the Golf, though fuel economy could easily rival some of Ford’s own hybrid models here in the states. In a place like Europe, where $9 a gallon gas is the norm, every MPG counts. 

Besides a facelift the Focus ST shares with the rest of the Focus lineup, the diesel-powered hot hatch has many of the same suspension and sport features. Meanwhile the gas version gets no performance upgrades, but a 7% boost in fuel economy that should equate to a couple of extra MPGs on the highway. There isn’t anything wrong with that.