Moutune52, the VAG division of Mountune, has launched its most potent Mk7 Golf GTI upgrade yet with a new Stage 2+ kit, adding a Golf R turbocharger to the model's 2.0-litre engine and taking power to 385hp. That's a 165hp boost over the standard Mk7/7.5 GTI output, as well as a 70 per cent greater increase than is offered by M52's Stage 1 kit - and it's accompanied by a jump in torque to 376lb ft. Franky enormous numbers, we can all agree, for a front-driven five-door hatchback.
Perhaps more impressive are M52's claims that the upgrades have no impact on the GTI's standard-tune usability. Mountune's VW Group arm certainly knows the EA888 four-cylinder well, so it's managed to trim the GTI's 0-62mph time to just 5.2 seconds with only the addition of an R-spec IS38 blower and some software tuning. The firm does recommend the optional upgrade of the GTI's clutch, but says it's not mandatory, while cars with DSG gearboxes are given matching transmission software to maximise the added punch. There's no mention of an uprated diff, but something tells us that cars equipped with VW's optional VAQ will be the ones best suited to the improvements...
Thrown in with the upgrade is an adjustable shift light setting, enhanced launch control (for DSG cars) and a new performance measurements datalogger. There's also an mTune handset, which allows for adjustment of the engine's calibration and has an anti-theft setting to disable the car. Not that M52's upgrade would make a GTI more noticeable to thieves; all the work is under the bonnet, meaning an M52-tuned Golf GTI can retain a completely standard look, barring the addition of a badge, of course. There's not even any need for an exhaust upgrade, keeping the kit about as discreet as they come - although new bits are, of course, available.
Mountune52 says it can supply the kit for customers to fit it at home, with prices starting from £2,475. Alternatively, the upgrade can be carried out by M52's engineers in its Essex workshop with the additional price of labour on the bill (the company asks customers to contact it first, for obvious, coronavirus-related reasons). But it does throw in a free oil and filter change as part of the service. Additionally, all Stage 2+ cars get Mountune's usual 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty, making the proposition all the more tempting.
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