Mountune announces first VW project
Ford tuner turns its hand to the Volkswagen's MQB models - with the help of wheel supplier fifteen52
If you know fast Fords, you'll know Mountune; those in the VW tuning scene will be aware of fifteen52. The former has been offering Ford approved tuning for decades, both on and off the track, the latter specialises in VW styling tweaks. Today comes news of the two brands working together in partnership, specifically to create 'm52' - a new VW performance tuning operation.
The idea is to bring together Mountune's "rich heritage in performance engineering" with the "design flair of fifteen52", the aim to be something like what Mountune has been offering to Ford customers, only now to those with VW MQB cars. It's the MQB cars for starters, at least, though that is plenty of models. Expect much of fifteen52's aesthetic work to feature in the m52 project as well, its original remit being "to offer customers whatever wheels and styling enhancements they desire in order to make them feel they own truly unique automobiles."
All rather makes sense; the VW scene in the UK is only getting bigger, particularly with the Mk7 Golf GTI and R proving as popular as they have. Combine that enthusiasm for a brand with Mountune's proven reputation and it's surprising the idea hasn't happened sooner.
The plan is for a "host of tailored powertrain, chassis and style products" to be launched during this year, beginning with - you've guessed it - that Golf GTI and R duo. Available right now are Stage 1 kits for both cars, boosting the GTI to 310hp and 350lb ft and the R to 360hp/369lb ft. Interestingly m52 says that DSG cars can be reworked to deliver quicker shifts and "remove unwanted OE characteristics", which you would have to assume relates to full throttle kickdown and redline upchanges. That's the most significant news for now, with m52 promising that the range of hardware and software will be "extended significantly" during the year and the site already offering other smaller upgrades.
Director of both Mountune and m52, Alec Pell-Jonson, said that "the opportunity to work with fifteen52 and build a distinct, new brand was an opportunity to jump at. We are one of the very few tuners that have ever been OEM-approved to modify vehicles within warranty - it is this level of dedication and expertise that we are bringing to m52 and VAG models."
Exciting times, then, for members of the VW tuning fraternity - more modifying choice has to be good news, right? And fear not, fast Ford fans, because Mountune is already talking about getting to work on the new Focus ST. We'll hope to get behind the wheel of these m52 VWs, as well as whatever Blue Oval products Mountune gets its hands on, in the not too distant future. For now, see the intro video below, and the new website here - more coming soon!
It also is maybe not the best idea for the new brand to sound like a motorway, or a mid 90's BMW engine for the more nerdy amongst the PHers. All joking aside, I like Mountune, Fifteen52 and VW so this should be worth a look.
Honestly the best thing about this is how those fifteen52 wheels look. I am quite keen on 'em.
Also there’s too much well established competition in the vw scene imo
What made Mountune work for Ford is their close links with the manufacture and in the case of the mp215 fiesta kit etc, a warranty
Also there’s too much well established competition in the vw scene imo
What made Mountune work for Ford is their close links with the manufacture and in the case of the mp215 fiesta kit etc, a warranty
Mountune start tuning VW's and get slated, just as Litchfield were slated for tuning Audi's. Yet both are highly regarded tuners. Do their standards suddenly slip when tuning another manufacturers products?
At some point Revo would have been slated, but many happily take their cars there. Same for Litchfield and Subaru's and GT-R's. Slated, yet are now the go to outfit.
In order to run a successful business you need to diversify. Mountune can't just rely on Ford owners to survive, and same for Litchfield. More so in fact as sales of GT-R's aren't quite on the same level as a Golf. So once the core of GT-R owners have got their cars tuned, what are Litchfield supposed to do? Go out of business?
If you told me they were period TSWs I would well believe it.
These multi spoke ones would look great on my Mini Cooper S.
I like VWs, I like Fifteen52 wheels - generally - but I'm struggling to see the point of the tie-up. With Revo et al already well-established in the VW tuning scene and Mountune not appearing to offer anything above and beyond them, where's the pull? And if I was in the market for aftermarket rims, surely I'd go and check out all the usual suspects - Fifteen52, BBS, Rotiform, OZ etc. etc. - settle on the ones I like and buy those?
Mountune start tuning VW's and get slated, just as Litchfield were slated for tuning Audi's. Yet both are highly regarded tuners. Do their standards suddenly slip when tuning another manufacturers products?
At some point Revo would have been slated, but many happily take their cars there. Same for Litchfield and Subaru's and GT-R's. Slated, yet are now the go to outfit.
In order to run a successful business you need to diversify. Mountune can't just rely on Ford owners to survive, and same for Litchfield. More so in fact as sales of GT-R's aren't quite on the same level as a Golf. So once the core of GT-R owners have got their cars tuned, what are Litchfield supposed to do? Go out of business?
What made Mountune work for Ford is their close links with the manufacture and in the case of the mp215 fiesta kit etc, a warranty
I'm just about to buy a turbo powered car today from main dealer and am obviously going to remap it immediately. I would pay a fair bit more for one that doesn't void my warranty and I think that's a good selling point for Mountune on Fords. Vag would be unlikely to do such a deal as for almost every car they sell there is a more powerful variant that they would like you to sell up to
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