"It's something small with big power."
DETROIT, MI – In between a row of bright-colored Shelby Mustangs sat a small vehicle hidden under a cloth for most of the first two days of the at the North American International Auto.
"It's something small with big power," teased Shelby American President John Luft.
Finally unveiled Tuesday afternoon, the mystery vehicle was a four-cylinder, four-door compact car – but one that would leave its peers in the dust.
The Shelby Focus ST takes Ford's top-selling compact and turns into a "Pocket Rocket."
"Ford Moto Company's new Focus ST is the perfect platform for the rebirth of the front wheel drive turbo four-cylinder Shelby," said Shelby's Vice President of Operations Gary Patterson.
"It's a car that Carroll (Shelby) wanted to build before his passing and is a worthy successor to his Pocket Rocket GLH."
Carroll Shelby, the iconic muscle-car designer died in May, 2012 at 89.
The Shelby Focus ST features hood vents, hydro-carbon grille inserts and spoiler, a Shelby-branded interior and other distinctly Shelby visual and performance features.
The turbo-charged engine produces only 250 horsepower, but Shelby is developing an optional performance tune to raise that number, Patterson said.
"The industry is going with small footprint, small cubic displacement and big power," said Luft. "And yes, Shelby is going to be there. We've brought back one of Shelby's biggest products."
The Shelby package adds $14,995 to the $24,495 starting price of a 2013 Ford Focus ST.
Shelby is also featuring at the Detroit auto show its Shelby GT500 Super Snake, starting at $28,995 for 662 horsepower and $39,995 for 850 horsepower, with a wide-body option that would add another $14,995.
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