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Blog - News and Updates
- - June 16, 2026
Tuning solutions for your Renault with Bluetooth controllability
We recently had this 2016 Renault Megane GT 1.6 TCE in for an installation of our Pro Petrol tuning module with Bluetooth Control. This is particularly useful as the driver can easily switch between settings without the need to remove or configure the box, giving that added convenience. Back out on the road in less than 30 minutes, the customer was instantly benefitting from that lifted performance.
POWER 205HP >>> 235HP
TORQUE 280Nm >>> 318NmNow delivering 235hp with 318Nm of torque, we have not only lifted those peak figures, but we really delve into where those gains are applied. Now pulling much harder right through the revs, we’ve significantly reduced turbo lag whilst providing much improved consistency across the entire rev range, really transforming how it now feels out on the road.
For more information on tuning for your Renault, please visit: https://bluesparkautomotive.com/renault-tuning
The chip tuning box featured
- - June 09, 2026BMW ECU Unlock Guide
BMW Autotuner ECU Unlock Explained
If you own a modern BMW and have been looking into performance tuning, you may have already discovered that many post-2020 BMW ECUs are locked. In this guide, we explain what that means, how to check your ECU date, how the Autotuner unlock process works, and why a Bluespark tuning box is often the faster, simpler alternative.
10 Min Typical tuning box installationNo ECU Unlock Works without unlocking the factory ECUDIY Fitment Designed for simple home installationRemovable Remove before dealer visits or warranty concernsWhy Are Post-2020 BMWs Difficult To Remap?
From around mid-2020 onwards, many BMWs were fitted with locked Bosch MD1 and MG1 ECUs. For owners looking for a traditional ECU remap, this creates a major obstacle. Before the ECU can be read or written in the usual way, it often needs to be unlocked first.
This is where names like FEMTO and Autotuner come up. Both are associated
- - June 04, 2026
Tuning solutions for your VW, with Bluetooth controllability
We recently had this VW T5 2.0 TDI in for an installation of our Pro + Boost boxwith Bluetooth Control. This is particularly useful as the driver can easily switch between settings without the need to remove or configure the box, giving that added convenience. Back out on the road in less than 30 minutes, the customer was instantly benefitting from that lifted performance.
POWER 102hp >>> 132hp
TORQUE 250Nm >>> 297NmNot only have we raised those peak figures, but we really delve into where those gains are applied. Now pulling much harder right through the revs, we give real consistency, lifting the whole mid-section, and really transforming how it now feels out on the road. You’ll also see MPG increases of around 15%!
For more information on tuning for your VW please visit:
https://bluesparkautomotive.com/vw-tuningThe chip tuning box featured in this blog can be found here:
- - May 28, 2026
Here we install our Pro Petrol chip tuning box to this 2025 Volvo V60 2.0 B4.
For those looking to get even more from their Volvo, owners will find tuning limitations due to the locked ECU, with no way to read or write the ECU data. This means that while traditional remapping is impossible, our tuning module offers the perfect solution here, providing fantastic gains without requiring a traditional ECU flash. This has the added benefit of being traceless once removed for warranty purposes.
As shown in the installation guide, we will connect to the Map and Boost Sensors. To gain access to these sensors, you’ll need to remove engine cover and the airbox.
Chapters in the video below:
0:00 Getting Started
0:05 Remove Engine Cover
0:16 Sensor Locations
0:24 Remove Airbox
0:40 Boost Sensor
1:01 Map Sensor
1:16 Connect Module
1:26 Secure & Tidy
1:43 Replace Airbox & Engine CoverCheck out the full installation here:
For more information on tuning for your Volvo, please visit: https://bluesparkautomotive.com/volvo-tuning
- - May 27, 2026
OBD tuning solutions for your SID212 ECU
This is something that we know has been talked about extensively throughout the tuning community, but things have become even more simpler. Things have progressed quickly for the SID212, moving from total security protected, to now accessible via OBD.
As we know, Ford have used this ECU in Rangers and Transits from 2019 onwards, and it’s been restrictive due to that security protection. More recently, options opened up meaning you could ship the physical ECU to be unlocked, and then process remapping procedures once it had been returned. This was simplified even further, and meant there was no need to ship the ECU and we could process a bench unlock, directly connecting to the ECU ourselves. Since then, Autotuner have opened up OBD access, meaning it’s now as streamline as possible and none of the above is necessary.
√ Performance Increase
√ AdBlue System RepairedThis customer had been running our tuning module for a while, but now had no more extended
- - May 12, 2026
Tuning solutions for your ECU locked BMW
We recently had this 2021 BMW M135i xDrive in for an installation of our tuning module. As you’ll have seen from several of our recent posts, the recurring issue that all 2021+ BMW drivers face, is the tuning limitations due to the locked ECU. This F40 M135i is no different and currently has no way to read or write the ECU data, without removing the physical ECU and shipping off to be unlocked. Our tuning module offers the perfect solution here, providing fantastic gains without requiring a traditional ECU flash. This has the added benefit of being traceless once removed for warranty purposes.
POWER 306HP >>> 350HP
TORQUE 450Nm >>> 542NmHaving conducted extensive development on that 2.0 B48, we already know it’s tuning capabilities. Now delivering a much stronger 350hp with an extra 92Nm of peak torque, lifting it to 542Nm. We bring those gains in sooner, right down from those lower revs, whilst really opening up that midsection, giving improvements
- - May 07, 2026
Tuning solutions for your VW
We recently had this 2025 Golf R in for an installation of our tuning module. We’ve conducted extensive development on the 2.0 Evo engine, so already know it’s tuning capabilities. After a quick installation of our specialised SENT petrol module, the driver was back out, already experiencing those instant performance increases.
This MK8.5 Golf R is also another example of the later VAG vehicles, which face the tuning limitations due to the locked ECU, and currently has no way to read or write the ECU data. This means that while traditional remapping is impossible, our tuning module offers the perfect solution here, providing fantastic gains without requiring a traditional ECU flash. This has the added benefit of being traceless once removed for warranty purposes.
DYNO RESULTS:
POWER 331HP >>> 380HP
TORQUE 427Nm >>> 525NmNow delivering 380hp with an additional 98Nm of torque, we have not only lifted those peak figures, but we really delve into where those gains
- - May 01, 2026
In our latest dyno test we have this 2018 VW Golf 1.5 TSI in for custom ECU mapping. We adjust the software and fine tune the results from the rolling road dyno testing, to really maximise every part of the rev range. The result… Some pretty impressive performance gains!!
Firstly, we take the Golf with completely stock mapping. We get it strapped up on to the rollers, and take it for the first set of tests to establish what the factory mapping is producing. You can see the stock dyno graph below. You can see that power and torque are pretty bang on to what the manufacturer quote, showing 148hp and 253Nm of torque. These are dialled in, so we know exactly what base we’re working from.
Once we are happy that we have everything logged and the stock figures entered, it’s time to connect to the ECU. We use our Autotuner system to connect directly on to the ECU. The process of this custom tune is very much a hands-on, ‘fine tweaking’ procedure. We make several alterations to the software, adjusting
- - April 24, 2026
Tuning solutions for your ECU locked BMW
We recently had this awesome BMW M340i in for an installation of our tuning module. As you’ll have seen from several of our recent posts, the recurring issue that all 2021+ BMW drivers face, is the tuning limitations due to the locked ECU. This G20 M340i is no different and currently has no way to read or write the ECU data, without removing the physical ECU and shipping off to be unlocked. Our tuning module offers the perfect solution here, providing fantastic gains without requiring a traditional ECU flash. This has the added benefit of being traceless once removed for warranty purposes.
POWER 387HP >>> 441HP
TORQUE 500Nm >>> 745NmDyno data pulled from our testing of the M340i, gave the figures above. Now delivering a much stronger 441hp with an extra 245Nm of peak torque from quoted figures, lifting it to 745Nm. We bring those gains in sooner, right down from those lower revs, whilst really opening up that midsection, giving improvements right
- - April 15, 2026
95 RON and 99 RON fuel is something that is debated heavily in the tuning world. It’s not always clear if there is a huge difference between them, meaning you could be missing out on certain benefits.
In its most simplest terms, RON is the octane rating which serves as an indicator of fuel stability. It’s a measure of the fuel's ability to resist "knocking" or pre-ignition within the engine. Knocking happens when the air-fuel mixture in the engine ignites too early or unevenly. This can reduce efficiency and, over time, potentially damage the engine. With higher octane rating fuel, the fuel is more resistant to this unwanted combustion.
In the video below, we test the real-world performance difference between 95 RON and 99 RON fuel on two BMW G20 330e models. One is running 95 RON, and the other 99 RON. Both are tested at stock, and then again once we have installed our 3 channel chip tuning module.
Looking at the stock dyno graph below, we can see that the 330e running 95 RON produces
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