In this month’s EVO (issue #119) they put the Renaultsport Megane 175 dCi up against one of the best petrol hot hatches on the market today the Focus ST.

Do we finally have a diesel hot hatch that is as good as or better than their petrol counterparts? Click through to read the results.

The Focus with 49 horsepower more and 29 lb ft less torque only manages to pip the Megane by a measly 0.2 seconds around the EVO playground the Bedford Autodrome.

The Focus still has a big advantage in a straight line with a standing quarter mile time of 15.3 seconds and 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds versus a standing quarter mile time of 16.4 seconds and 0-60mph in 8.3 seconds in the Megane.

Fuel consumption wise the Focus is well known to be a thirsty car and against the diesel Megane it didn’t stand a chance.

• Performance testing: ST - 22.2mpg, dCi - 32.4mpg
• Cruising back to London: ST - 27.5mpg, dCi - 39.1mpg

Usable torque and excellent milage are nice but a number of markets in the world are suffering diesel prices that are a premium above petrol. Still, there is no doubt that the oil burners are here to play.