Mondeo MK1 & MK2 (93-2000) were available with an old-generation 1.8l turbo diesel. 90hp. The engine/transmission would probably be a drop in into a contour. But you wouldn't want one, trust me. They are slooooooooooooow. One reason for poor sales of the Mondeo MK2 toward the end of its career was the lack of a modern diesel engine.
The good stuff did not arrive until the 2.0 l 130 hp TDCi in the MK3 Mondeo, available from the 2002 model year on I believe. It has 330 Nm torque @ 1800 RPM. I test drove one and was quite impressed. They move.
Cost of fuel certainly is an issue over here in Germany. 1 L of normal fuel is around 1 USD. 1 L of Diesel is around 80 cents. However, the annual tax on the diesel is a lot higher, and the 2.0 TDCi is the most expensive engine in the Mondeo lineup, actually more expensive than the V6 Duratec.
