Wednesday 16th January 2013

Shelby tweaks Focus ST

US tuner turns its attention to America's newest hot hatch

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It’s a name that might more usually be tagged onto a million-horse Mustang , but Shelby has its sights set on a new market: that of the hot hatch buyer with the release of a breathed-on Focus ST.

No extra power yet for the Shelby ST

The arrival of the ST in the US last year has caused all sorts of big US Ford tuners such as Steeda and Roush to add the string of hot hatch tuning to their bows. Shelby is the latest, and like the others, its first package will be a mild selection of cosmetic and handling-based upgrades

There’s a new exhaust system , developed in conjunction with Borla, which will undoubtedly add a touch of extra power, but aside from that the Shelby additions run to a set of Ford Racing suspension, new drilled brake discs, new wheels and tyres, and a series of cosmetic tweaks both outside and in.

Cosmetics & handling first to be addressed

Having said that, Shelby does add that an optional 'performance tune' is in the offing, and they claim that it should ‘significantly increase horsepower’. So expect to see somewhere between 280 and 300hp, as per Mountune’s planned offering – but don’t expect much beyond that for now, as we’re led to believe that’ll be the point at which the standard turbo runs out of puff. Tuning for this model of ST is in its infancy, though, so if even more power is a must, don't be disheartened - bigger packages which include upgraded turbos are probably just around the corner.

[Papa Hotel]

The bonnet vents aren't going to do very much, there's almost no flow in that area.

[Papa Hotel]

doogz said:

Ssh, the experts are coming.

[RacingBlue]

Shame Shelby didn't use the opportunity to rid the ST of it's gopping trout mouth.

[FWDRacer]

RacingBlue said:

Shame Shelby didn't use the opportunity to rid the ST of it's gopping trout mouth.

At least they've gone round the back and got rid of that abomination of a standard exhaust system. That looked like something inspired by Battlestar Galactica

[Limpet]

My God the new Focus is fugly.

[Martian O]

Looks even more chavtastic with the Shelby mods!

[cvega]

front looks like a very intrigued catfish.

[garypotter]

crap colour and sticker set, but ready for the mcdonalds crew.

[RobCrezz]

Papa Hotel said:

The bonnet vents aren't going to do very much, there's almost no flow in that area.

They look like they were left over from the Escort RS turbo!

[DanielSan]

So a Borla exhaust, Ford Racing suspension, new wheels and tyres and some vinyl. The Shelby part just seems like a branding exercise to be honest.

[tomoleeds]

is it just me, the new focus looks like a fiesta,

[robinandcamera]

Martian O said:

Looks even more chavtastic with the Shelby mods!

It gets worse inside

[y2blade]

Is it still a four-pot turbo?

[pSyCoSiS]

robinandcamera said:

It gets worse inside

And those seats don't really look like they will hug you very well !!

[WCZ]

pSyCoSiS said:

And those seats don't really look like they will hug you very well !!

can imagine getting flung around bigtime in those

[y2blade]

Carrol Shelby is turning in his grave.

[AlpinaB5s]

RacingBlue said:

Shame Shelby didn't use the opportunity to rid the ST of it's gopping trout mouth.

I think it looks more like a Chub. In more ways than one.

[ALBA MELV]

Basking shark IMO.

[ClarkyboyS]

That is HIDEOUS! why would you bother!

[James P]

y2blade said:

Carrol Shelby is turning in his grave.

Agreed. Looks like a cynical marketing ploy to me.