Skip advert
Advertisement

Shelby Ford Focus ST at Detroit

Legendary American tuner Shelby gets its hands on the Ford Focus ST hot hatchback

Shelby has modified the new Ford Focus ST, creating its first hot hatchback in nearly 30 years. Unveiled at the 2013 Detroit motor show, it’s somewhat more enticing than the 1986 GLH-S.

Full 2013 Detroit motor show coverage here The tuned Focus gets lower, Ford Racing suspension, new wheels and stickier tyres as well as larger, drilled brakes discs and a Shelby/Borla exhaust to boost the ST’s burbling soundtrack. On the outside, there are functioning bonnet vents, tweaked front and rear grilles and a beefier rear spoiler. A host of graphics packs range from traditional Shelby stripes to the chequered flag pattern you see here. There is no power increase for now, but Shelby promises a significant horsepower increase in the near future. Expect at least 300bhp, up from the standard ST’s 247bhp. The 2013 Shelby Focus ST package costs 14,995 US dollars – additional to the car itself, which starts at 23,700 USD new. So the total package can be bought for the equivalent of £24,000 – a mid-spec Focus ST in the UK.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Full 2013 Detroit motor show coverage here

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019-2025) review – Ford has killed its last remaining hot hatch
Ford Focus front
In-depth reviews

Used Ford Focus ST (Mk4, 2019-2025) review – Ford has killed its last remaining hot hatch

The Mk4 Focus ST went out as an imperfect hot hatchback, but one with appeal and impressive capability if you don’t mind some rough edges
18 Nov 2025
ZeroNine Ford Focus ST review – Ferrari 599 pulling power in a hatchback
ZeroNine Ford Focus ST – front
Reviews

ZeroNine Ford Focus ST review – Ferrari 599 pulling power in a hatchback

Leicestershire tuning firm ZeroNine has given the last-of-the-line Focus ST a new lease of life with a series of performance upgrades – and Ferrari 59…
14 Nov 2025
Used Ford Focus ST Edition (Mk4, 2021 - 2025) review – a Honda Civic Type R rival for £20k
Ford Focus ST Edition
Reviews

Used Ford Focus ST Edition (Mk4, 2021 - 2025) review – a Honda Civic Type R rival for £20k

The Ford Focus ST Edition turns an already-capable hot hatch package to 11, and now you can find used examples for much less than they were when new
10 Oct 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The Peugeot 208 GTi is back: we've had a first look at the new £35k hot hatch
Peugeot 208 GTi
News

The Peugeot 208 GTi is back: we've had a first look at the new £35k hot hatch

Peugeot’s new electric hot hatch has been shown at the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours, and UK pricing has come with it. Here are all the details
16 Jun 2026
Why the ‘experts’ are completely wrong about buying a second-hand car
Used Bentley
Opinion

Why the ‘experts’ are completely wrong about buying a second-hand car

Navigating the absurd world of used car ads makes buying new seem sane, reckons Porter
12 Jun 2026
One last drive in the world's best hot hatch – goodbye to Honda's Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition
Features

One last drive in the world's best hot hatch – goodbye to Honda's Civic Type R

It's one of the very best hot hatches ever made but now production has ended we say an emotional goodbye to Honda's Civic Type R with an epic drive
15 Jun 2026