Ford Focus ST Mountune | Spotted
Fast Ford and quick estate in one upgraded package!
You’ll know by now that Mountune-modified fast Fords tend to be pretty great. Whether spending a lot of money on small upgrades or big bucks on a proper overhaul, you’ll not be disappointed. Back when the Mountune Performance work was manufacturer backed, Fiesta STs with yellow boot badges were everywhere. Understandable, really, when £600 unlocked so much more enjoyment.
There was a similar kit for the Focus ST at the time, too, which is often forgotten about in the shadow of the Fiesta’s success. A bit more involved (and therefore costing more money), the Mountune Performance upgrade for the 2.0-litre ST boosted power to 275hp and torque to a mighty 295lb ft - both numbers that would be more than competitive almost 10 years later.
When PH tested a hatch with the upgrade alongside a Fiesta, it hit 100mph in 14 seconds flat. With a bad start. So compelling was the work, in fact, that the story concluded it would be “hard to imagine ordering either car without them given they don’t invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.”
Alas, that didn’t happen. Or perhaps it did and all the contented owners couldn’t imagine parting with their Focuses. But where there are dozens of Mountuned RS Focuses out there, both the five-cylinder and four-wheel drive ones, there really aren’t many STs. Partly that’ll be due to the cost - Mountune Performance for the Focus cost £1,225, against £599 for the Fiesta - and partly it might be due to a more mature customer plumping for the Focus over the Fiesta. This is an unfounded theory, but perhaps they would be less interested in more intake gurgle and tyre shredding torque.
Whatever the case, it makes this ST wagon particularly interesting. The estates always are, given Ford resurrected the bodystyle after the five-cylinder was hatch only, but especially so with the Mountune work. As far as we can see, it’s the only such estate currently for sale on PH. It has more than just the additional performance going for it, too, with both Spirit Blue paint and range-topping ST-3 spec in its favour. Mud flaps won’t be to all tastes, but they’re easily removed. The interior might be a little more of a stumbling block for prospective buyers; the ST’s cabin was fiddly and frustrating ten years ago, and time won’t have help alleviate that impression. Still, if you like buttons…
With a little less than 60,000 miles recorded and in seemingly fair condition, it’s for sale at £14,499, making it broadly comparable with other estates of a similar age and mileage. You’re not having to pay a premium for the extra power that an owner once did, basically, which is nice. In fact it’ll likely be just as fast as a new Focus ST wagon, for just about half the price - sounds a pretty good deal to us.
SPECIFICATION | FORD FOCUS ST ESTATE
Engine: 2,000cc, 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 250@5,500rpm (standard car, Mountune 275@5,500rpm)
Torque (lb ft): 250@1,750rpm (standard car; Mountune 295lb ft at 2,750rpm)
MPG: 41.5 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 159g/km
First registered: 2014
Recorded mileage: 57,000
Price new: £26,595 (standard car before options)
Price now: £14,499
What I did always wonder about these if the engine is a bit limited? The 1.6 EcoBoost seems ripe for tuning, but I've not seen many of these with lots of power. Basic bolt-on bits don't seem to yield stunning results. Is the turbo quite small or something?
As a fast wagon you can’t go wrong. Although I’ve only experienced that hatch. Tried to convince myself the interior would be ok. But couldn’t manage it. Admittedly this is an entirely subjective opinion and someone will love it I’m sure.
Really haven’t a clue with prices anymore. Seems to be whack a number on the screen and see if someone bites.
What I did always wonder about these if the engine is a bit limited? The 1.6 EcoBoost seems ripe for tuning, but I've not seen many of these with lots of power. Basic bolt-on bits don't seem to yield stunning results. Is the turbo quite small or something?
I considered selling last year when the price being offered was in line with what I originally paid for it, but glad I decided to keep it in the end.
Modern enough to have plenty of creature comforts without being stuffed with unnecessary driver aids or excessive tech. More than fast enough and sharp to drive.
Only real quibble is the lack of wet traction although changing to PS4's did help with that a bit.
Mine has the Motorsport Developments 280bhp remap and it really brought it alive. It wasn't slow to start with but the amount of extra torque that it yielded really has given it a lot of extra grunt.
The engines are indeed much harder to get big numbers from than something like the VW E888; ~300 is about as far as the standard turbo goes, and ~350 is about as far as the standard engine internals will go without being uprated.
If I was in the market for something like this, I feel a Leon Cupra would be the first thing I'd try, and I say that having had 2 Pumas (proper ones, not the frog-faced crossover) and a Fiesta ST.
As a fast wagon you can’t go wrong. Although I’ve only experienced that hatch. Tried to convince myself the interior would be ok. But couldn’t manage it. Admittedly this is an entirely subjective opinion and someone will love it I’m sure.
Really haven’t a clue with prices anymore. Seems to be whack a number on the screen and see if someone bites.
The MP275 would probably be enough in reality. I just felt it needed something to give it a bit more personality, rather than a load more speed.
I considered selling last year when the price being offered was in line with what I originally paid for it, but glad I decided to keep it in the end.
Modern enough to have plenty of creature comforts without being stuffed with unnecessary driver aids or excessive tech. More than fast enough and sharp to drive.
Only real quibble is the lack of wet traction although changing to PS4's did help with that a bit.
I considered selling last year when the price being offered was in line with what I originally paid for it, but glad I decided to keep it in the end.
Modern enough to have plenty of creature comforts without being stuffed with unnecessary driver aids or excessive tech. More than fast enough and sharp to drive.
Only real quibble is the lack of wet traction although changing to PS4's did help with that a bit.
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