Mountune and fifteen52 create "Mountune52" for MQB

[kmpowell]

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-germancars/mountune-and-fifteen52-collaborate-on-new-m52/40175

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbNM3YDVli4

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 tuning for decades, both on and off the track, the latter specialising in VW tweaks since 1996. Today comes news of the two brands working together, creating 'm52' - a 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, and the Up GTI presumably bringing in a younger audience soon. 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!

[Exonian]

Mountune fighting back against REVO’s incursion into their Ford monopoly! 

[fredgroves]

Is there actually any real difference between stage 1 remaps? I mean the pre-packaged ones, not one that you design yourself for your own needs?

Same with changing the DSG parameters?

Its a question I have pondered before... other than saying "my car has a XYZ tune" to your mates?

[Exonian]

Is there actually any real difference between stage 1 remaps? I mean the pre-packaged ones, not one that you design yourself for your own needs?

Same with changing the DSG parameters?

Its a question I have pondered before... other than saying "my car has a XYZ tune" to your mates?

Yes, there can be quite a few differences. I’ve had a lot of mapped cars, never beyond stage 1, and you can definitely tell the difference between maps.

[fredgroves]

Is there a personal preference thing there then or just some are bad?

[2007GTI]

Those 5 spoke wheels look cheap and nasty, I'd have OEM wheels any day over those.

[jv]

Think 1552 have found the TSW 1990's catalogue useful 

[Exonian]

Hopefully they’ll learn that what looks vaguely passable on a mk1 Focus RS doesn’t suit a more conservative VW.
Then again maybe they’ve tapped into a new market! 

[king monkey]

It’s a shame there’s no manufacturer warranty with Mountune like there is on their Ford tunes. That’s the main pulling point for me there.

[Exonian]

Is there a personal preference thing there then or just some are bad?

Some can be quite bad.
 
Diesel tuning used to be quite straightforward hence the proliferation of add on boxes.
Being as they run at 100% airflow (no throttle butterfly or modern equivalent thereof) it was just a case of adding more fuel until the exhaust produced soot (unburnt fuel) then wind it back until the smoking stopped, check temps in the cylinder head to make sure nothing was going to melt and then market the result. A lot more complex potentially with all the emissions add ons now, plus the very advanced fuel injection/management systems but fairly similar principle.
With petrol turbos it’s more complex with ignition timing etc to take into consideration.
I’m sure a lot of the really cheaply developed maps just trick the engines into overfuelling and upping turbo boost forcing the ECU to try and play catch up making the extra power that way. 

The likes of APR and REVO do put a lot of development miles into their maps which is reflected in the high purchase costs. The big timers invest a lot in advanced mapping kit and specialist programmers.

I’ve only used add on boxes on my earlier MK7’s due to TP1 scare stories but reverted back to standard in the end and my Clubsport I’ve kept fully original. Just a pedalbox is enough for these cars on the roads I drive.

With mk4,5 and 6 generation GTI’s and TDI’s I tried a few maps from different suppliers plus got to drive or passenger ride a few others.
REVO maps tend to be aggressive but they’ll offer smoother maps if you request them, APR seem very smooth and factory like in delivery just lots more power. Bluefin/superchips have a poor reputation yet don’t seem to struggle with getting customers, I tried a Bluefun map on my mk6 and it was much less aggressive and smoother than the REVO’d cars I had before it but noticeably down on peak power and torque. Not necessarily a bad thing as traction was never an issue and there were never any boost surges or flutter.
Aside from various tuning boxes I tried on my mk7’s I also got a good run out in a custom mapped mk7 R which was very impressive.