More power for Mustang EcoBoost

Owners of turbocharged four-cylinder Fords could soon be able to dramatically increase their car's performance simply by plugging in a hand-held calibration device that could become available from Ford dealerships around Australia.

Official 'Mountune’ performance upgrade kits for the Focus ST and Fiesta ST hot hatches have been available from Ford dealers in Europe since July 2013 and are likely to be made available for both models in Australia soon.

Now Ford has released similar factory-backed performance packages for both ST models in North America, where Ford Racing is also developing a tuning program for the Mustang EcoBoost.

Ford Australia spokesman Neil McDonald said it was too early to talk about the availability of an official performance upgrade kit for the Mustang EcoBoost, which is expected to open the sports coupe range from under $50,000 when it's officially released Down Under this December.

However, while details remain sketchy, an official custom engine calibration for models equipped with Ford's 231kW/430Nm 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo-petrol engine will be available in the US by the end of this year.

And if the performance gains delivered by similar engine tuning programs now available for the Fiesta and Focus STs from US Ford dealers are any guide, the four-cylinder Mustang could approach the output of the Mustang GT's 303kW/525Nm 5.0-litre V8.

For $US595, Ford's new ProCal hand-held programmer allows Fiesta ST and Focus ST owners to modify engine parameters such as turbo wastegate control, throttle response, idle speed, fuel curves and spark timing simply by plugging it into their car's diagnostic link connector port in the passenger-side footwell.

More importantly, Ford claims Focus ST owners can gain up to 90lb-ft (122Nm) more peak torque – blessing the standard 184kW/340Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with more than 200kW of power and 460Nm of torque -- without voiding the car's factory warranty.

Given Ford's upcoming Focus RS hot hatch borrows its 2.3-litre turbo-four from the Mustang EcoBoost, it could offer up to 250kW and 500Nm.

No figures are available for the Fiesta ST's smaller 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, which produces 134kW/240Nm as standard, and it's unclear whether the calibration tuning will be available for other EcoBoost-powered models – such as the Kuga and upcoming new Mondeo.

Despite the significant claimed performance gain, Ford USA's hand-held ProCal device does not alter hardware components, as is the case with Ford of Europe's Mountune tuning kits for the Fiesta and Focus STs.

Developed at Germany’s Nurburgring, Ford of Europe's Focus ST Mountune upgrade comprises unique ECU calibration plus a larger alloy intercooler, cast-alloy inlet duct and high-flow air-filter, while the Fiesta ST Mountune upgrade includes unique calibration, a secondary airbox inlet and high-flow filter.

In the UK, the Mountune kits are covered by Ford’s three-year/60,000-mile new-vehicle warranty and can be fitted to either model in less than 90 minutes at one of 120 Mountune-appointed Ford dealers.

Priced at £1225 ($A2025), the Focus ST's Mountune kit is claimed to increase power from 184 to 205kW and torque from 340 to 400Nm, slashing 0-100km/h acceleration by more than half a second to 5.95 seconds, almost matching VW's Golf R.

Meantime, the Mountune-kitted Fiesta costs £599 ($A990) in the UK and ups performance to 160kW and 320Nm, enabling it to sprint to 100km/h in a claimed 6.7 seconds – two-tenths faster than the standard Fiesta ST.

Ford says its ProCal handset and Mountune tuning kits offer a new type of aftermarket tuning for owners of vehicles powered by Ford's direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost engines – without fitting expensive aftermarket parts.

"From the infancy of the automobile, tinkerers have always chased more power by removing original components and replacing them with expensive aftermarket parts," said Ford. "This can lead to added performance, but at a cost to fuel efficiency, durability or driving comfort most owners would never accept.

"For example, while replacing a camshaft can result in added horsepower, but typically a smooth idle must be sacrificed. Replacements can include new exhaust and intake manifolds, high-flow fuelling systems and sometimes superchargers. This kind of tuning requires significant know-how and for the vehicle to be out of operation for some time.

"Now, with the advent of computer-controlled engines, tuners have begun modifying a vehicle’s original programming for increased engine performance in the areas they choose. The technologies in Ford EcoBoost engines make their efforts even more effective.

"Advanced EcoBoost technology includes direct injection, variable cam timing and turbocharging that, together, offer excellent power density and EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings straight from the factory. In the hands of engine tuning experts, tweaking these attributes can result in tremendous gains in horsepower and torque output, at an inexpensive price tag.  

"While these settings should be modified only within recommended limits, the resulting performance gains with Ford-tested programs can be impressive. Focus ST owners, for example, can expect up to a 90lb-ft increase in torque – all while maintaining the Ford-backed limited warranty."

Ford says it is also developing more extreme tuning kits for the Mustang EcoBoost in partnership with aftermarket tuners, for enthusiast not concerned about maintaining their factory warranty, as evidenced by several Mustang concepts at the 2014 SEMA Show.

"By working with respected turbocharging engine experts from around the world including Mountune and Full-Race Motorsports, Ford is demonstrating a commitment to a new breed of forced-induction performance. Expect to see more exciting new options from Ford Racing in the near future," said Ford.

Ford says its sixth-generation Mustang has already attracted more than 600 deposits, 1200 firm orders and 15,000 potential customers in Australia, where the coupe made its local debut in Sydney on New Years Eve