Your vehicle's engine is managed by an electronic control unit, commonly called the ECU. It controls how the engine operates, using information from sensors and the software installed by the manufacturer.
A Stage 1 remap changes selected engine software settings to improve performance on a suitable standard-hardware vehicle.
Depending on the engine, this may involve adjustments to torque delivery, boost control, fuelling and other supported calibration settings.
The result can be stronger acceleration, improved response and more usable pulling power throughout parts of the rev range.
Stage 1 is normally the starting point for customers who want a noticeable improvement without moving straight into major hardware modifications.
However, the available gains and suitability depend on the exact engine, ECU, vehicle condition and calibration.