What's the news?
It hardly seems like it has been in the game for five minutes, but already the sublime Ford Focus RS is being taken to the next performance level. The Blue Oval is now offering a fully warrantied, official Mountune power upgrade package for the all-wheel drive megahatch.
Similar to the same kit used on a Fiesta ST, the Mountune package takes the Focus RS's 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost unit from 350hp and 470Nm, to peaks of 375hp and 510Nm; bear in mind, though, that these maximums are only available for a 12-second overboost phase.
Nevertheless, some interesting things happen as a result of the Mountuning of the FRS: it makes it the second most-powerful hyperhatch in the world, surpassing the very expensive Audi RS 3 Sportback and only eclipsed by the costly Mercedes-AMG A 45 4Matic; and, by trimming two-tenths from its 0-100km/h time to leave the benchmark set at 4.5 seconds, the Focus RS Mountune is more accelerative than a Porsche 911 Carrera. And quite a lot else, we might add, albeit the Mountune Ford's top speed remains the same rudely healthy 266km/h.
This goodness is unleased thanks to a high-performance air filter, bespoke alloy crossover duct with high-performance silicon hoses, an upgraded air recirculation valve and a remapped ECU. Fitting it takes 90 minutes and it will protect the Ford warranty.
"Ford has a proud history of working with Mountune to unleash even more power from our hot hatchbacks for dedicated performance enthusiasts," said Tyrone Johnson, vehicle engineering manager, Ford Performance. "Boosting power to 375hp launches the already class-leading Focus RS even further ahead of the field."
Anything else?
The Mountune kit is available in 'selected European markets' and we reckon there's no reason Ireland won't bring it here. Expect it to be a four-figure upgrade, although considerably less than €2,000. Which means a Ford Focus RS Mountune should still dip under the €55,000 barrier, making its €65,900 Audi and €60,220 special-order Mercedes-AMG rivals look preposterously overpriced.
Click here to read our Irish road test review of the Ford Focus RS.
Click here to read our twin test review of the Ford Focus RS and BMW M2.