Well, whoever said that probably wasn't a
gearhead, because when it comes to output, we know that more is more, and
enough is never enough. The folks at AMS Performance know that, and clearly
kept it in mind when developing these enhancements for the Ford Focus RS.
The
aftermarket modifier has come out with an electronic tuning kit and a high-flow
air filter for the Blue Oval hot hatch that, in combination, can yield an extra
60 horsepower and 70 lb- ft of torque. So equipped, the 2.3-liter turbo four
will yield 410 hp and 420 lb-ft, putting it out ahead of the likes of the
Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3.
The
AMS E-Tune isn't a simple chip job, though. Customers are put in touch with an
expert calibrator who takes the owner's usage into account and comes up with
not just one, but several engine calibrations – like one for everyday use, one
for track, one for valets, and even calibrations for different fuel grades.
Calibrated
for race fuel, for example, AMS says it can squeeze out an extra 96 hp and 116
lb-ft of torque for a total of 446 hp and 466 lb-ft in a Focus.
The
remapping is affected via a COBB AccessPort – a little remote control that
plugs into the engine and mounts on the dashboard. Once calibrated and
installed, you just select the right engine mapping and you're set to go. The
device costs US$ 650 (if you don't already have one), the AMS calibration another US$ 500, and the optional air filter an additional US$ 80.
