If you’re up to date on Focus RS news, then you’ve probably heard that the all-new 2016 model has finally landed on U.S. soil, finally delivering to enthusiasts who have patiently awaited its arrival. What you may not know, however, is that the guys at Livernois Motorsports & Engineering have already crafted a custom tune for the Focus RS, garnishing big gains in the horsepower department.

The Livernois Focus RS wears its Shadow Black exterior color quite well, don’t you think?

World records and world-firsts are typically the name of the game for the team at Livernois, with today’s example being no different. The company took what they’ve learned from previous EcoBoost-powered Ford models like the Focus ST and the Mustang EcoBoost, and applied the best of both worlds in its first-to-market Focus RS calibration.

Dubbed the ‘Stage 2 tune’ from Livernois, the team has recently released its ‘MyCalibrator’ tuning device for ’16 Focus RS owners (PN LPP631144) who are looking for a bit more power from what the factory offers. We use the term ‘bit’ lightly here, as the Stage 2 tune adds a whole lot more bite to any Focus RS.

Using 93-octane grade fuel, the Stage 2 tune reaps an extremely impressive 55 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque at all four wheels for peak gains. Under the curve however, is where the magic of EcoBoost technology and tuning can really been seen.

Gains as high as 68 horsepower and 90 lb-ft of torque at all four wheels can be had throughout the power-band. For example, at 2,500 RPM, the stock tune has the EcoBoost making 320 lb-ft of torque from the factory. Post tuning, however, power begins to climb (and even surpass) this mark at nearly 370 lb-ft of torque at the same RPM. Under the curve, that’s an increase of nearly 50 lb-ft of torque.

The Livernois Focus RS ready to put down some new horsepower stats.

When we spoke with Andy Ricketts of Livernois, he explained what goes into the tuning side of development for its Focus RS calibration.

“Tuning was pretty straight forward for us,” Ricketts said. “I think that’s because we do so much in the EcoBoost area, though. It’s pretty complex, and I’ll be the first one to say it. We spend a good amount of time testing it, though we’ve gotten to the point where we do so much with EcoBoost powered vehicles; like the Mustang and all of the other Ford platforms. That said, you can’t just take a tuning calibration from an EcoBoost Mustang and use it on something like this.”

What will we see next from the crew at Livernois? We can only imagine what Stage 3 will be like.

He continued, “It’s pretty different. If you really understand the ECM like we do, then you’ll know what hurdles you’re going to have to overcome, right from the word of go. There’s a base-logic that we always try to determine from the beginning, like what logic that it uses. Even though they all have one thing in common, which is that they’re powered by an EcoBoost engine, they always have a different calibration from the factory.”

Ricketts closed with saying that Ford changed a ton of parameters on the Focus RS’ 2.3-liter turbo engine in comparison to the Mustang EcoBoost variation, and that taking a completely different approach from the Mustang is the way to succeed in tuning this new platform.

So there you have it. The apple may not fall far from the EcoBoost powered tree, but the all-new Focus RS platform seems to look very promising for enthusiasts; even if it’s a low-production numbered car.

Head over to Livernois Motorsports & Engineering’s website for more Focus RS information.