Engine & Gearbox Computers Reflashed

[lotusproject]

I had my 3000k service on my 2011 LW Focus Sport 6 speed Powershift today and was told that both computers had been re-flashed. The gearbox was pretty good before and the engine seemed OK with reasonably conservative driving.
It is almost a different car with smoother changes and the engine is definitely more responsive. Both seem to work together better.
It seems to me that more aggressive settings have been used for both the ignition advance and variable valve timing.
It has made me wonder whether new cars leave the factory with more conservative settings for running in??
I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this with their car.