Front-wheel drive is still available in the USA, but not for Americans.
The Blue Oval to has had to cancel the launch of a fourth-generation Focus RS flagship model due to Europe’s stricter emissions regulations. Ford ST enthusiasts have the silver lining that they still sell it in a variety of configurations. They can choose from a gasoline or diesel engine, manual or automatic gearboxes, as well as a hatchback or wagon body style. Tuners are happy to work on the engine to increase its power.
Mountune, a UK-based specialist, is showing its latest upgrade package for Focus ST. It builds on the M330 kit that was introduced in March 2020. To reflect the revised aftermarket package’s 365 PS output (which translates into 360 horsepower (268kilowatts), Mountune has renamed it M365. The Focus ST is still front-wheel-drive and the torque has increased to 560 Newton-meters (413 pounds-feet).
This is actually 10 horsepower more than the Focus Mk III-based RS. However, there was a Heritage Edition which had 370 hp thanks to an upgrade from the Mountune. M365, a new M365 for the manual Focus ST with the turbocharged gasoline engine of 2.3-liters, comes with an exciting engine soundtrack when the car’s in Sport or Track mode.
Mountune claims that the Track mode has been recalibrated. The entire upgrade pack, which includes an ECU remap, can be done via the company’s proprietary mTune SMARTflash application. It will only require a smartphone and the Bluetooth OBD interface supplied, so you won’t need to have a laptop.
PS574.17 is a significant increase in power, or about EUR677 or $797 at current rates in the United Kingdom. This seems reasonable considering that it unlocks 140 Nm (103 lbft) and 84 HP (for Focus STs equipped with the gas engine).
It is too bad that the US is not getting Ford’s hot hatch. We could also say the same about the smaller Fiesta ST, as well as its crossover sibling the Puma ST.