Ford Heats Up The Hot Hatch Game At SEMA 2017

As fall arrives the aftermarket action heats up in Las Vegas. In just over a fortnight, cars, trucks, parts, and more will fill the Las Vegas Convention Center as the SEMA show descends on Sin City. As expected, Ford is set to bring an impressive display to the main hall and one highlight of the display is a pack of project cars. We now know that four of those magnificent machines are three 2017 Focus RS and one 2017 Focus ST.

Part of over 50 vehicles Ford will have on display at the massive show, these four hot hatches mark the first official announcements of Ford-endorsed project vehicles for this year’s show. In the coming weeks we can expect to see more previews of these modded machines, but if the quartet of Focus are any indication, it looks to be another good year for Blue Oval machinery.

Blood Type Racing 2017 Focus ST

While the Focus RS gets all the headlines, its cousin the Focus ST is quite the performance value and the crew at Blood Type Racing showed just what is possible from this all-wheel-drive hot hatch.

“This Focus ST concept combines lifestyle elements of moving images with motorsports to make a vehicle for the modern enthusiast. The exterior is all royalty, from the Midnight Purple paint to the wide body fender flares and rear hatch wing,” says Ford. “The ST boasts a unique roof-mounted drone helipad, adding functionality to curb appeal. A Full Race Turbo kit means turbo lag is non-existent with quick response and increased engine output. Ford Performance accessories including exhaust, short throw shifter, and illuminated door sill plates making this Focus ST ready for prime time.”

Powertrain

  • Full Race turbo kit
  • Borg Warner EFI 7163 turbo
  • Ford Performance exhaust
  • Ford Performance short-throw shifter
  • Mishimoto radiator, coolant reservoir, Hoonigan oil cap, and intercooler
  • COBB Tuning Accessport Tuner w/ Blood Type Racing custom calibration

Chassis

  • Airlift Performance air suspension
  • Wilwood big-brake kit
  • Pierce Motorsports underbody brace

Wheels & Tires

  • B-Forged Performance 768SL 19×9.5-inch wheels in brushed smoke gloss
  • Toyo Tires T1 Sports 245/35-19 tires

Exterior

  • Ford Accessories locking fuel plug
  • SoCal Garage Works wide body fender flares
  • Rally Innovations splitter kit
  • Rally Innovations rear hatch wing
  • BASF Midnight Purple III paint
  • AutoArt Glenview body and paint
  • AutoArt Glenview custom HeliPad
  • Thule roof rack system
  • Diode Dynamics head lights

Interior

  • Ford Accessories all weather floor mats
  • Ford Accessories illuminated door sill plates
  • Sabelt GT621L carbon fiber racing seats
  • Sabelt four-point racing harnesses
  • Autopower roll bar with harness bar
  • BTR custom rear storage compartment for camera and drone
  • SoCal Garage Works carbon fiber steering wheel

Pennzoil/Tjin Edition/UTI 2017 Ford Focus RS

It is common to see one aftermarket company build a project for SEMA, but this Focus RS is the result of a triumvirate of players — Pennzoil, Tjin Edition, and Universal Technical Institute — joining forces to push the limits of the RS platform.

“Fast and fearless, this Focus RS is ready for action thanks to performance upgrades including Full Race intercooler, piping and intake and Ford Performance exhaust,” says Ford. “The exterior features Axalta paint in Pennzoil yellow with Ford Performance interior carbon fiber features for a sleek and lightweight cabin. Wheels, tires, brakes and suspension have been upgraded for increased feedback and sharper steering response.”

Powertrain

  • Ford Performance exhaust
  • Ford Performance short-throw shifter
  • Full Race intercooler and piping
  • Full Race intake
  • Optima Battery

Chassis

  • BC Racing coilovers
  • Baer Brakes (six-piston calipers and rotors)

Wheels & Tires

  • Rotiform 19×9.5-inch wheels
  • Falken FK150 245/35-19

Exterior

  • Anderson Composite carbon fiber body accessories
  • Axalta Pennzoil yellow paint

Interior

  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber shift knob
  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber instrument cluster
  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber window switch cover
  • Kicker audio components

Rally Innovations 2017 Focus RS

With a rich history in rallying, the Focus RS is a natural for a rally-themed build, so it’s no surprise Rally Innovations consulted its pace notes in developing this Focus RS for SEMA.

“A balance of capable performance and aggressive appearance, this Focus RS Rally Revival pays tribute to celebrated rally drivers over the years. An RS-R coilover suspension improves ride quality, performance, and comfort while reducing excessive vibrations from every day driving, as well as minimizing noises from suspension movements,” Ford says. “Added Ford Performance short-throw shifter provides a more direct and connected feel, giving better feedback while driving whether you’re cruising local streets or pushing the limits on the track.”

 

Powertrain

  • Mountune high-flow induction kit and full intercooler upgrade
  • Mountune ultra-high-performance silicone boost/coolant hose kit
  • CSF triple-pass high performance radiator
  • Borla 3-inch catted downpipe
  • Ford Performance S-Type 3-inch cat-back exhaust
  • COBB Access Port V3
  • Ford Performance short-throw shifter

Chassis

  • RS-R Sports-i coilover suspension
  • Eibach front/rear sway bars
  • DBA USA 4000 series front/rear slotted rotors
  • Rally Innovations R4S intercooler X brace
  • Whiteline camber adjustment bushing kit front/rear

Wheels & Tires

  • OZ Racing Superturismo GT (19×8-inch) wheels
  • Nitto 235/35-19 NT01 tires
  • Shop TPMS tire pressure monitoring sensors
  • Tred Wear raised white letter tire inserts

Exterior

  • Baja Designs 3×3 Squadron Pro & S2 LED Amber – driving/combo & wide cornering lighting
  • Rally Innovations light plate
  • Rally Innovations R4S aluminum front, side and rear splitters
  • Rally Innovations R4S one-piece aluminum rear diffuser
  • Rally Innovations R4S wheel diverters and mud flaps
  • Rally Innovations R4S rally wing
  • Hood vents (collaborated w/ Anaheim Rod & Custom)
  • Sparco stainless steel latches
  • Pekok Autobody body finish
  • Rolotech vinyl car wraps’ Avery intense blue & 3M storm gray vinyl wrap with R4S graphic scheme

Interior

  • Auto Meter Cobalt Series boost, oil, air/fuel and Pro Shift light gauges and Omni pod mount
  • Rally Innovations custom four-point roll cage, R4S interior panels, and rear-seat delete
  • Sparco EVO race seats
  • Sparco R353 steering wheel and globe shift knob
  • HPI four-point harnesses

VMP Performance 2017 Focus RS

An intriguing entry in the Ford hot hatch lineup for SEMA is the TriAthlete built by VMP Performance. A company best known for hot Mustangs and F-150s put together a decidedly aggressive RS that is built to perform in any venue.

“At the drag strip, the road course or on America’s twisty backroads, this Ford Focus RS smokes the competition in true Olympic triathlete style,” says Ford. “Performance suspension and powertrain upgrades include a dual port blow-off valve which helps vent the air-intake reducing turbo lag and eliminating cavitation. A sinister matte-black finish with custom airbrush art and lightweight carbon fiber bits combine for an RS with a street stalker exterior and competitive attitude.”

 

Powertrain

  • Ford Performance cat-back exhaust
  • Ford Performance short throw shifter
  • Levels Performance high performance intercooler
  • COBB Tuning carbon fiber cold air intake
  • COBB Tuning Accessport handheld tuner
  • Turbosmart internal wastegate actuator
  • Kompact dual port blow-off valve

Chassis

  • Air Lift Performance series suspension
  • DBA USA 4000 series T3 front/rear slotted rotors

Wheels & Tires

  • Forgestar CF5 Deep Concave custom, matte black, 19×9.5-inch wheels
  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 high-performance (265/35ZR19) tires

Exterior

  • Chris Cruz Artistry full custom paint in matte black with airbrushed graphics
  • Anderson Composites carbon fiber hood
  • Anderson Composites rear spoiler
  • Anderson Composites front splitter
  • Anderson Composites rear diffuser
  • Anderson Composites rocker panels and fog light surround
  • Diode Dynamics lighting with RetroShop custom fitment
  • Anchor Room lens tint

Interior

  • Brey-Krause custom bolt-in harness bar
  • Simpson Racing five-point harness
  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber shift knob
  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber instrument cluster
  • Ford Accessories carbon fiber window switch cover
  • Ford Accessories cargo area protector

As we mentioned, these four Focus projects are just the beginning of the SEMA previews from Ford, so stay tuned for the first word on all the cool Ford vehicles set to debut in Las Vegas and for full coverage from the show floor.

About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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