Ford Offers Current and New Focus RS Owners an RS500 Horsepower Upgrade Kit

In a move that shows how lame the whole story of the special edition version of the... special edition Focus RS, a.k.a., the RS500 story is, Ford's European division has announced the availability of a factory-approved performance package developed by the company's tuning partner Mountune Performance for new and existing owners of the standard Focus RS.

And yes, the engine modifications provided by the so-called "MP350" package are similar to those developed for the new limited edition Focus RS500 model that was sold out only a few hours after its reveal.

As with the RS500, the Focus RS performance upgrade increases the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five's peak power from 305HP to 350HP, while torque rises by 20 Nm to 460 Nm.

Modifications include a larger intercooler, a larger air filter box, a larger diameter exhaust downpipe and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration.

Not surprisingly, the MP350 package does not invalidate the standard Ford warranty.

Being only a performance kit, the package doesn't include the RS500's matte black film from 3M, but that shouldn't be a problem for RS owners looking to imitate the hot hatch's looks.

According to FoMoCo, the tuning package is available from Mountune Performance via a selected network of Ford dealers, initially in the UK, with a European roll-out planned to follow.

Ford Offers New Mountune Performance Package for new Fiesta 1.6 with 140HP

While we're eagerly awaiting for Ford to introduce a range-topping ST or even better, an RS version of the new Fiesta hatchback that is bound to hit U.S. shores in early 2010, the automaker announced the availability of new performance kit developed by Mountune, the firm's official UK-based tuning house. Offered through selected Ford dealers in the UK, the Mountune kit for the 1.6-litre versions of the new Fiesta Zetec-S and Titanium models includes mechanical as well as cosmetic upgrades.

The engine kit that costs £1,299 (plus fitting) consists of a high-flow air induction system, a high performance exhaust including high-flow catalyst and tubular manifold, and re-calibration of Ford's 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT.

The upgrades result to an output of 140HP at 6,750rpm and 170Nm of torque at 4,250rpm, compared to 120HP and 152NM for the standard engine. As a result, 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time is reduced to a welcome 7.9 seconds from the standard engine's 9.9 seconds.

For those that would like to accompany the engine upgrades with some visual flair, Mountune also offers a bodykit with a front lip spoiler, side skirts, a rear wing, a rear diffuser incorporating the twin tailpipes, yellow decals and mirror caps, and a set of blacked out alloy wheels with bright-yellow rings.

Developed by Mountune Performance in association with Ford Team RS, the upgrade package will only be available at selected specialist Ford dealers in Britain from March 2009. As you may have already guessed, the upgrades come with a minimum of 12 months/12,000-mile dealer warranty and do not affect the original vehicle warranty.