PRI 2017: Plug In Faster Lap Times For Your Focus RS

Our box is a direct plug-in to replace the factory controller. — Tom Chan, DSC Sport

We all know that increased performance is available from tuning your engine’s electronic controller. However, electronically controlled suspensions are becoming more commonplace on new vehicles and DSC Sport unlocks the ability to tune those suspensions. The company’s latest offering is said to make the Focus RS faster and more comfortable.

“We manufacture plug-and-play controllers for cars that come from the factory with electronic suspensions,” Tom Chan, Sales Manager at DSC Sport, explained. “Our box is a direct plug-in to replace the factory controller using the CAN bus data, including brake pressure, throttle position, and g-force. If the car is equipped with a ride-height sensor, we use the rate of change data to determine velocity and that is also part of the tuning algorithm.”

Thus far the company has created controllers for a broad range of vehicles, including everything from Camaros and Porsches to Corvettes and GTRs. In the Ford world, DSC already offers a controller and damper upgrade for the 2015-2018 Shelby GT350 equipped with active suspension, but the Focus RS is the latest unit readied for market.

“We are excited to offer the Ford Focus RS package,” Tom enthused. “It took us over a year to develop the controller, but we are happy to report that during its last outing at our local track, Summit Point Raceway, the controller delivered a 1.8-second improvement in lap times with no other changes — same driver, same tire, same tire pressure, and on the same day.”

It makes the car ride a whole lot nicer to and from the track. — Tom Chan, DSC Sport

While that is a significant performance upgrade from just a replacement controller, the more comprehensive control offered by the DSC unit is also said to improve street drivability, which is unusual for a go-fast part.

“It makes the car ride a whole lot nicer to and from the track,” Tom said. “As you know the Ford Focus RS is not known for its compliant ride. The DSC controller completely changes that and I think people will buy it just for the improved ride alone, but as the g-force, brake pressure, and steering angle increases, the system really performs. It uses the factory dampers to their full potential, where the factory controller doesn’t.”

The Focus RS unit is set to go on sale in January of 2018 and it will retail for $1,290. However, if you really want to take Ford’s hottest hatch to the next level, DSC will also offer a compatible Tractive damper upgrade for around $4,000.

For more on the DSC Sport suspension controller upgrades, you can visit the company’s official site here.