SHELBY GOES SMALL

January 21, 2013 3:07 AM AWST

At this year's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Shelby American unveiled two new models, the 2013 Shelby GT500 Super Snake "Wide Body" and the 2013 Shelby Focus ST. While the Mustang continues the Shelby tradition, the "performance-tuned" version of the Focus ST is the first small car to be Shelby modified since the Dodge Omni-based 'GLH' from the 1980s.

The 252hp Focus ST's stock 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine is largely unaltered in this version, but Shelby American state that a 300+hp version is being developed.

The major changes cover the addition of an engine appearance package, Shelby/Borla cat back exhaust, lowered suspension (combined Shelby-Ford Racing components), front and rear brake upgrade, as well as custom wheels and tyres.

Bodywise, Shelby have added their own bonnet with vents, carbon fibre inserts, rear spoiler, 'Shelby' badging on the hatch and can't-miss-'em side graphics. Inside, the package includes a numbered dash plaque, Shelby short-throw gear shifter and Shelby's premium interior package with custom seat trim.

Shelby American plan on building only 500 examples of the Shelby Focus ST each year. Over the base price of a Focus ST price, the Shelby package costs US$14,995.