Ford Focus ST Mountune: Spotted
As subtle as (very) fast Fords go and a rather appealing package for £10K
If there's one thing we can guarantee about the Mk3 Focus RS it's that it won't be a subtle car. That isn't the way with Ford Rallye Sport products, is it? They're loud and proud in every sense. Don't like it? Don't buy one.
So how is this for a best of all worlds solution? A fairly discreet (well, compared with the Mk2 RS) five-door Focus ST with a healthy complement of Mountune extras. On top of the MR290 power upgrade (more on that shortly), there's the six-piston front brake upgrade, Mountune Clubsport suspension, ATB diff with RS clutch and a Mountune exhaust. Oh, and the badge of course.
By all accounts then this is quite a serious Focus. Mountune tends to be quite modest on its power claims so there's every possibility this will match the RS on power. On top of the intercooler, filter and remap of the MP260 upgrade, the MR ('R' for Racing instead of Performance) pack added a cast inlet plenum and host of new exhaust bits. Another tweak of the ECU officially yielded 290hp and 324lb ft. Mountune claims 0-100mph in very brisk 12.5 seconds, which is faster than any figure for the RS and in fact only three tenths slower than the time stated for the MP350 RS upgrade. Hmm...
You can read the full details of the Clubsport brake and suspension upgrades here. Yes, the car would probably benefit too from the lighter wheels but the standard items help with the subtlety factor. Together you imagine this will be an excellent Focus, perhaps lacking the RS's edge but with some big improvements over standard. That was already pretty good, don't forget.
Moreover, it looks great value. This standard ST is newer but has a higher recorded mileage and is £500 more. The red car has recently been serviced and has four new Michelin Super Sports on it. Yes, the tax and fuel won't be cheap but that was never a strong point of five-cylinder Focuses. If you're going down that route, a little more expenditure on what was already going to be a lot would surely be easier to justify.
There is a downside. Nothing's perfect after all. This ST is in Jersey so it will need registering in the UK. The advert states the required tax has already been paid as this was a UK car but of course that would be worth investigating. The gov.uk website does state: 'You don't usually have to pay VAT if you're importing a secondhand vehicle and the VAT was paid in another EU country.' Which sounds like good news.
Whatever the import situation, the Focus is an intriguing package. Wonder what the MR upgrades of the latest ST will produce?
FORD FOCUS ST (STANDARD CAR)
Engine: 2,522cc five-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 225@6,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 236@1,600-4,000rpm
MPG: 30 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 224g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 36,500
Price new: £20,850 (standard ST-3)
Yours for: £10,450
See the original advert here.
My mate has the MP260 ST and its torque is incredible, the shove in your back compared to the standard model is immense.
The reviews EVO did on it against the RS were interesting, and a quote from when the dyno ran the MP260 kit:
"The ST’s advantage became easier to explain a few months later when, dyno sessions completed, we were able to superimpose the power and torque plots. As well as weighing a handy 75kg less, it turned out the ST was developing more power everywhere in the rev range up to the point where the power curves crossed at 4800rpm, from where the RS went on to develop a slightly higher peak output of 294bhp to the ST’s 285bhp. It was a similar story with the torque curves, the ST’s gobsmacking 384lb ft peak occurring at just 3300rpm, leaving the RS back on 370lb ft at 3750rpm."
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/2...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/2...
I'd love to drive the MR290 as I'm sure it would be such a good car, but in other ways I think the MP260 kit is probably enough for most people.
Its like saying no point in buying a Ferrari as you cant do the max speed on the road.
Its like saying no point in buying a Ferrari as you cant do the max speed on the road.
That said the 290 package is probably quite an impressive thing, shame this is one is red and stuck out in what is effectively France.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
For inspiration... Haha...
Carl
That said the 290 package is probably quite an impressive thing, shame this is one is red and stuck out in what is effectively France.
Currently, I fancy a swop, but I cant think of anything , which is cheap as chips to run , servicing wise, that I could change it for. Possibly the realms of a 335i or S3 Audi are the options I can think of..............So, its going to stay.........
That said the 290 package is probably quite an impressive thing, shame this is one is red and stuck out in what is effectively France.
In terms of the MR290 though, you would be right in thinking it's impressive. I ran it for a year on my 500 and it fantastic. Must more 'grown up' than the MP260 which is a good map, but basically just a big lump of torque in the low/mid range in comparison to the more progressive and effortlessness of the MR290...... surprised a hell of a lot of more expensive machinery.
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