Review of Ford Performance Calibration for Focus St
| First Test
2015 Ford Focus ST With Ford Operation Upgrades Commencement Examination Review
Coin Can Ready Your (Focus ST) Issues
The Ford Focus ST has 3 problems: torque steer, frazzle note, and power. At present, the Focus ST is a heck of a vehicle, but it's missing a little extra something. That's where Mountune comes in. Wait, who? Yous might be wondering who Mountune is, but if you're a Focus performance aficionado, you're already familiar with their work.
The short version is that Mountune makes the magic happen for the big names racing iv-cylinder Fords. The company started in the 1980s prepping Cosworth engines for motorsports and in subsequently years branched out to offering a line of parts that don't void the Ford factory warranty. The Ford-approved modifications are besides smog-legal in all l states. This really matters if y'all reside in one of the more tuning-balky states.
Mountune'south piece of work on the 2015 Ford Focus ST yielded a full complement of modifications that fall roughly into 2 categories: operation enhancements and appearance enhancements. The performance mods are really the problem solvers of the bunch; the advent mods solve a different set of bug in a more subjective field. The whole shebang goes for $5,102, though it must be installed by the dealer (Ford or Lincoln), Mountune USA, or an ASE-certified tech to comply with your new vehicle warranty.
Under the Hood
The torque steer and power issues are both solved under the hood, where $one,900 gets yous the Mountune MP275 engine kit. That increases power by 18 hp and 26 lb-ft of torque to 270 hp and 296 lb-ft. On the horse-per-dollar scale, the Mountune kit is pretty modest, but we're told that the upgraded intercooler included with the kit is integral non only to making that power but also to keep it, because oestrus soak becomes a problem when increasing heave with simply the stock intercooler. It's been a few months since I've ripped around in a stock ST, merely the tuner gave me a good shove back in my seat when I stomped on information technology. Far healthier than MT's long-term Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Adding power solitary would but exacerbate the generous torque steer that comes, free of charge, with all Focus ST models. That'due south where the Quaife torque-biasing differential comes in: $1,174 (with installation kit) gets you the single most noticeable particular in the performance kit. Torque steer is tamed; now the steering wheel but gets heavier when you stomp the gas. Dandy compared to the unintended evasive maneuvers the stock car would make when launched hard with a loose grip on the wheel.
Raw acceleration with the differential and the engine upgrades is noticeable. A stock 2015 Focus ST we tested hit 60 mph in 6.three seconds, but our modded ST dropped that fourth dimension to half-dozen seconds apartment. Lining both cars up at the dragstrip would exit the stock ST a few car lengths behind, with the tuner ST ripping off a 14.vi-second pass at 96.4 mph to the stock auto's 14.eight seconds at 94.three mph.
Handling
The stock 2015 Focus ST is no slouch in the handling department, and this is where the trouble solving edges into the aesthetic category. If you like the look of a lowered car, the lowering springs are a nice addition, and at $300 they're pretty reasonable, too. The ride is a niggling more breakable, but the ST didn't have much to work with in the showtime place. Together with the front end strut tower caryatid, the lowering springs bring the lateral acceleration up a smidge, from 0.92 g (avg) to 0.95 chiliad (avg). Although the suspension mods add a bit, the Quaife differential is the biggest contributor to the improved figure-eight time, from the stock 26.0 seconds at 0.73 chiliad (avg) to 25.2 seconds at 0.75 g (avg). That's nearly a whole 2nd faster. Testing director Kim Reynolds attributed the bulk of the improvement to the differential, which allowed him to get on the power sooner than in the stock car.
On streets and winding back roads, the tuner ST distinguished itself nicely. Even with the wheel turned, the Quaife kept the torque reined in, and with the aftermarket intake, the turbo was a fleck more than vocal. Scroll down the windows, roll on the throttle, and enjoy a turbocharged four-piece ring. It'south fun. Boost is limited in the first three gears, but mat the throttle in fourth or above, and yous get all the turbo tin can give.
Style
The remainder of the performance parcel falls solidly into the category of "want" rather than "need" for functioning. One of my commencement thoughts after getting into the stock Focus ST (afterward "torque steeeer!") was, "This thing is as well quiet." I'm not one for slapping a pair of ruby bombs/glass packs/direct pipes on my daily driver, merely something with sporting pretensions needs more than a subtle growl. The Volkswagen GTI, for example, is much too quiet. The stock Focus ST is closer, just the $995 for the true cat-back exhaust is coin well spent in my volume. Information technology'due south quiet when you're simply cruising but gets loud when you get on the gas difficult.
The short shifter ($449) is said to make shifts more precise. It moves the knob much lower, though, making y'all grip it a fiddling bit awkwardly. I'd laissez passer on it considering the stock shifter is far from vague, but if you lot're irresolute the shift knob, it might be worth it for you. I'd rather put my coin toward a set of wheels. That short shifter is like a bike and a half from well-nigh of fifteen52's itemize. Just sayin'.
The Consummate Packet
MT's brusque list of must-accept items:
- Mountune MP275 engine kit
- Quaife torque biasing differential
- Cat-dorsum exhaust organisation
For a manufacturing plant backed, warranty-keeping performance parcel, the Focus ST doesn't become also far, just I think it goes far enough. If you're a year into your payments and the thought of voiding your warranty has y'all a little leery, then the Mountune-sourced operation package is worth a look.
Looks skillful! More details?| 2015 Ford Focus ST (Ford Functioning) | |
| Base Cost | $25,195 |
| PRICE AS TESTED | $30,297 |
| VEHICLE LAYOUT | Front-engine, FWD, 5-laissez passer, 4-door hatchback |
| ENGINE | 2.0L/270-hp/296-lb-ft turbo DOHC 16-valve I-4 |
| TRANSMISSION | 6-speed transmission |
| Adjourn WEIGHT (F/R DIST) | 3,247 lb (61/39%) |
| WHEELBASE | 104.3 in |
| LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT | 171.7 10 71.viii x 58.4 in |
| 0-60 MPH | six.0 sec |
| QUARTER MILE | xiv.half-dozen sec @ 96.4 mph |
| BRAKING, 60-0 MPH | 111 ft |
| LATERAL ACCELERATION | 0.95 g (avg) |
| MT Figure 8 | 25.2 sec @ 0.75 yard (avg) |
| EPA CITY/HWY/Comb FUEL ECON | 23/32/26 mpg |
| Energy CONS., CITY/HWY | 147/105 kW-hrs/100 miles |
| CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB | 0.74 lb/mile |
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Source: https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2015-ford-focus-st-with-ford-performance-upgrades-first-test-review/
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