- Let’s not mess around, is it any good?
- Is it a pain when you’re not gunning it?
- Can I buy any other baubles for my Puma ST?
- Anything to report inside?
- Mountune Ford Puma ST M260: verdict
► Up to 256bhp on tap► Kit also available for Fiesta ST
► ECU, exhaust and intake changes
Should you be feeling like your Ford Puma ST isn’t quite quick enough, Mountune has the answer to your woes. If you’d rather not change any hardware, 232bhp is accessed via a smartphone app and Bluetooth dongle plugged into the Puma’s OBD port.
If you don’t mind a few bolt on extras, then the M260 kit we’ve got here releases even more power. There’s less restrictive intake while a higher-flow charge pipe feeds air to a new alloy intercooler giving 256bhp with another flash of the ECU. Naturally, both kits are also available on the Fiesta ST as well.
Let’s not mess around, is it any good?
In a word, yes. Unsurprisingly another 60 or so bhp over standard certainly makes the Puma ST feel significantly quicker, but it doesn’t feel like too much for the chassis to handle. Our test car benefited from the official ST Performance Pack available from the factory which crucially adds a limited slip differential.
It certainly helps maximise the tweaked engine’s output, helping to boost traction especially out of tight bends. The extra power makes it easier to light up the front tyres if you’re too heavy-footed with the throttle and there is a bit more torque steer, yet the powered-up Puma doesn’t feel overburdened with Ponies.
You won’t need wrists like shot putter’s ankles to keep things in a largely straight line and you don’t feel like it’ll spit you off the road, either. Besides, we’d bet the kind of person that tunes a car would be happy with the slightly rawer edge to remind them of the work that’s gone on under the bonnet.
Is it a pain when you’re not gunning it?
Not in the slightest. Arguably the most impressive thing about the M260 kit is that it feels totally OEM when you’re driving in a normal fashion. After a brief pause, the engine is happy to build boost from low in the rev range and pulls harder from any given engine speed.
Thank a 33Ib ft boost in peak torque and more of the stuff throughout the rev range for that, although it’s a credit to Mountune for making the delivery feel so normal. There are no peaks, troughs or hiccups, just a sense of added muscle everywhere.
Can I buy any other baubles for my Puma ST?
Oh yes, although not all of them were fitted to our test car. Looking past the Mountune branded floormats and side stripes (the former a classier choice than the latter), our car got a set of lightweight 19in OZ wheels, shorter and stiffer Mountune springs, a short shift kit and uprated brake pads.
Although we couldn’t give the brakes enough of a workout to comment on their fade resistance, the new pads didn’t negatively impact brake feel or generate loads of annoying squeaks. The wheels and springs were certainly appreciated, blending a slightly firmer but perfectly acceptable ride with a slightly tougher look and greater agility than a standard Puma ST.
For those keeping an eye on the pennies, it’s worth pointing out that the springs are designed to work with the standard dampers, probably saving you enough cash for the short shift kit. The Puma’s gearchange was already very good, so it’s arguable whether the slightly shorter throw of the gearlever is worth the additional cash.
Anything to report inside?
Unless you’d like a review of those floor mats, no. If you’d like to know more about the interior, have a look at our review of the standard Puma ST.
Mountune Ford Puma ST M260: verdict
Before you rush out to remap your shiny new Puma ST, a word of warning. Unlike Mountune kits of old that didn’t affect the warranty, the new one doesn’t get the full backing of Ford. Yes, you can set the ECU back to its standard tune, but it is a bit of a gamble should you need to claim.
We find it hard to fault the M260 kit itself, though. The Puma ST remains just as well behaved in everyday driving whilst providing a healthy spoonful of extra pace when you want it. Handily you can buy the bits individually to spread the cost, making it a tempting choice for those after a bit more pace. Indeed, you’d need to jump up to a Hyundai Kona N or VW T-Roc R to find a faster small SUV.