Ford Focus RS gets the Mountune treatment

The 345bhp Ford Focus RS isn’t exactly under-endowed, but that hasn’t stopped those talented guys at Mountune from making it even more banzai. Developed together with Ford’s Performance division, a new power upgrade package for the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine takes peak power to 370bhp and peak torque on overboost (available for 12 seconds) to 376lb ft – a 30lb ft increase over the standard car. Meaty.

With the RS’ trick four-wheel drive system not wasting an ounce of that, 0-62mph is dispatched in just 4.5 seconds. That’s a 0.2 second improvement and now just 0.2 seconds shy of the Audi RS3, and that gets a fancy twin-clutch auto don’t forget, whereas the RS sticks with a trusty six-speed manual.

The upgrade includes an ECU flash, an uprated turbo recirculation valve and Mountune’s RS induction kit that includes an alloy crossover duct and high-performance silicone hoses to improve engine breathing by 11 per cent versus the factory fit pipes. Oh, and you get a Mountune badge on the boot to warn other road users of sudden and violent acceleration.

The good news is any Mountune-approved Ford dealer can fit the kit in around 90 minutes, it costs an entirely reasonable £899 and being an approved product, it won’t invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty.

Want to take things even further? Mountune is happy to oblige. It also offers 19-in OZ Leggera HLT wheels that are lighter and half an inch wider than the standard rims for £379.99 per corner, plus a Quaife differential, that uses gears rather than clutch plates, for £726. Mountune claims it sharpens up turn in, which makes the RS’ drift mode even smoother and easier to use.

Is a hot hatch great about to get even greater? Let us know, below.