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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.

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Full 2013 Detroit motor show coverage here

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