Ford Focus RS Mountune: A spectacular upgrade kit for the red-hot hatch

The Essex-based specialist is touting this as ‘Phase One’ of its Focus RS masterplan

Sarah Bradley
Monday 30 May 2016 23:51 BST
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To even be in with a chance of speccing the new kit, you need to buy a Focus RS first
To even be in with a chance of speccing the new kit, you need to buy a Focus RS first

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Ford’s most potent Focus, the new 345bhp RS, is about as full-on as it gets – or is it? Mountune doesn’t think so, and it’s put its money where its mouth is by releasing a spectacular upgrade kit for the red-hot hatch.

The Essex-based specialist has developed the Focus RS’s drivetrain and chassis tuning package to unleash even more performance potential, even though it hasn’t yet revealed hard figures. There’s an enhanced intake set-up for the standard 2.3-litre engine, with new high-flow induction hoses and a boost hose upgrade kit. Engineered for considerably higher temperatures, these allow further turbo boost increases.

Mountune’s billet short-shift gear linkage reduces lever throw by 25%, while a polyurethane roll restrictor damps down driveline movement under hard use. A £726 gear-based Quaife ATB differential is claimed to provide smoother performance and improved traction – particularly handy in Drift Mode.

On the chassis, 19in OZ Racing Leggera HLT wheels are half-an-inch wider and nearly 3kg lighter each than the hot Ford’s standard rims, and cost just over £1520 a set. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres add a further £900.

Mountune is touting this as ‘Phase One’ of its Focus RS masterplan. It hinting at a ‘Phase Two’ to take power to nearly 400bhp. We say, bring it on!

To even be in with a chance of speccing the new kit, you need to buy a Focus RS first – and with the UK’s model allocation coming dangerously close being sold out, you better act fast. Tremendous demand means Ford has already allocated 3500 of the 4000 cars earmarked for the British market, and with 10,000 examples of the hot hatch having been sent to the USA for the first time, there are fewer to go around.

The blue oval has hinted that it may review the production situation at a later date, but if you’re keen don’t leave it to chance. Even when you do stake your claim, you’ll face up to a year’s wait or more for delivery. Get ordering now!

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