Owners of a Ford Focus RS might be somewhat upset that Ford just released a hotter version of the RS with the new 257 kW Focus RS500.

But they needn’t despair, because Ford has just announced a new Ford-approved performance upgrade that boosts the 224 kW of the standard Focus RS to 257 kW – with torque of 460 N.m – the same as the RS500. Modifications include a larger intercooler, a larger air filter box, a larger diameter exhaust downpipe and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration. The MP350 package upgrade should allow the RS to hit 0 – 100km/h in 5.6 seconds with a top speed of 260 km/h.

“Ford’s relationship with Mountune has produced a series of dynamic performance upgrade packages for Ford models like the Focus ST and new Fiesta, and we are confident that the Focus RS package will prove equally successful,” says Matthias Tonn, Focus RS500 Chief Programme Engineer. “While the limited edition RS500 we are unveiling at the Leipzig Show in Germany will remain the ultimate Focus RS, this upgrade provides existing customers with the attractive Ford-approved performance enhancement option that many RS owners have been asking for.”

Currently the upgrade is available through selected Ford dealers in the UK, with a European roll-out planned to follow.