Mountune and fifteen52 launch new Volkswagen tuning brand
The UK tuner and US wheel manufacturer have collaborated to fettle everything Volkswagen
You’ll probably know Mountune from its tuning efforts on anything with a blue oval, being one of the very few tuners capable of offering more power whilst retaining your factory warranty. Thanks to a collaboration with US wheel manufacturer fifteen52, it’s expanding this expertise into the world of Volkswagen.
Following a project for 2017’s SEMA show, in which the brand worked with fifteen52, VW USA and Tanner Foust, the two decided to team up for a more permanent venture in the form of a Volkswagen-focused performance brand. The new company, m52, will combine Mountune’s tuning expertise with the design flair of fifteen52, with a host of powertrain, chassis and style products planned for VAG cars coming this year.
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Alec Pell-Johnson, director of Mountune and m52, said: ‘It is an exciting chapter in our history, we are building a new brand for a group of automotive enthusiasts that are equally dedicated and passionate. While Mountune Performance began over a decade ago with the 2008 Mk6 Fiesta ST, 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.’
At launch, m52 is offering its new X3 complete induction system and stage 1 tune for the EA888-equipped Volkswagen Golf R and GTI. The R receives a 60bhp power boost and a 78lb ft increase in torque, bringing its 0-62mph time down from 4.6sec to a quoted 3.7sec. The Golf GTI gets an additional 78bhp and 70lb ft of torque, for a quoted 5.4sec 0-62mph time, almost a second quicker than stock. DSG-equipped models also receive transmission tunes to increase shift speeds and remove any unwanted characteristics left from factory. As with Mountune’s Ford products, the brand claims all new software and hardware will be thoroughly tested to ensure reliability. Both stage 1 tunes cost £795 including VAT.
m52 launches in the UK and USA with a variety of products for the Mk7/7.5 Golf GTI and Golf R, and more hardware and software products will become available throughout 2019. Further down the road, it looks as if we might see products for non-Volkswagen Group cars, too.
Pricing information for all products can be found on the website, and should you want to bag yourself some goods, you can get a handy five per cent discount until the end of May if you use code 'm52'.
