Autoblog

Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics of the Ford Fiesta Mountune.

While most enthusiasts look to the Focus RS as the definitive forbidden fruit from Ford, the Fiesta stands as another product in the compact arena that will do wonders for Ford in the U.S. when it arrives here, possibly as the Verve, in the near future. Ford is upping the ante abroad, however, with help from Roush, owners of the Mountune Racing brand over there, by offering staged performance packages for the Fiesta ST that boost output while carrying a warranty of up to three years or 36,000 miles.

The Stage 1 setup is comprised of a whole new breathing and expelling system that includes an air intake, tubular exhaust manifold, high-flow cat and cat-back exhaust, and retails for £1,435 (not including installation). All those mods bring output up to 165 PS (163 hp), but if you choose to go for the Stage 2 system, you'll get new camshafts, valve springs and over 180 hp, all for £1,838.

[Source: Ford]