Supercars and Horsepower
Chicago Heats Up in February

SEE ALSO: 2015 Cars Ranked By Horsepower

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Single-digit temperatures are all too common in the Windy City Chicago during February. But cars are hot at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show with the biggest assemblage of supercars in the show’s history. A lineup of 25 supercars was showcased across the showroom floor. 

This year marks the 107th edition of the Chicago Auto Show.  First staged in 1901, the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America and has been held more times than any other auto exposition on the continent. With nearly 1,000 different vehicles displayed throughout the more than 1 million square feet there will be more visitors to this auto show than any other in the U.S. The Chicago Auto Show is where the automobile industry meets the American consumer.

Advancements in electronic engine and transmission controls along with engineering efforts to improve the overall efficiency of vehicles and their engines has facilitated all the horsepower increases we are seeing today. Combine this with the electrification of vehicles that brings more power to the wheels, sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems and refinement in overall vehicle dynamics, and simply put, a streetable race car can be bought right off the showroom floor.

A big surprise at the Chicago show was the 1250HP Nissan GT-R LM NISMO, which will take on the best in the world in the race to glory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. The GT-R was the centerpiece of a performance-oriented NISMO display at the auto show – which also included the 600-horsepower Nissan GT-R NISMO, the 370Z NISMO, JUKE NISMO and JUKE NISMO RS. Unlike other LM P1 cars, the GT-R’s 550HP V6 3.0-liter twin-turbo gasoline engine sits in the front of the front-wheel-drive car, while the hybrid power is harvested from the front driveline to augment acceleration. Rear wheels are powered by bursts of up to 700 extra HP by the flywheel system. 

From Ford we saw the 600HP Ford GT with its carbon fiber body. Introduced a few weeks ago in Detroit, the Ford GT will be built by Multimatic, Inc. located in Canada just outside Toronto. The Ford GT is expected to sell for over $200,000 and go into production later 2016.

Twenty-five years after the debut of the original, paradigm-shifting NSX supercar, Acura showed the production version of its highly anticipated successor—the next-generation Acura NSX. The all-wheel-drive NSX features a twin-turbocharged 75-degree DOHC V6 engine with a 9-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) and a three-electric motor Sport Hybrid system. Price is expected to start at $150,000.

Front and center from Toyota was the Toyota FT-1 concept. A pure performance, track-focused sports car model created by CALTY Design Research, Toyota’s North American Design branch. This front-engine, rear wheel drive concept symbolizes the future design direction of Toyota.

The iconic German performance brand, Porsche, displayed the 918 Spyder – its mid-engined plug-in hybrid supercar. The Spyder is powered by a normally-aspirated 4.6 liter V8 engine developing 608 horsepower with two electric motors delivering an additional 279 horsepower for a combined output of 887 horsepower. The 918 Spyder is a limited edition supercar, and Porsche plans to manufacture 918 units as a 2015 model year.

Also on hand was the 2015 Corvette Z06, the first 650 horsepower supercar to be made available in both coupe and convertible, as well as with either a 8-speed automatic or 7-speed manual transmission. The 2015 Corvette Z06, powered by an LT4 supercharged 6.2L aluminum V8 engine delivering 650 horsepower and 650 lb.-ft. of torque, is priced starting at $79,000.

Dodge reconfirmed its commitment to the future of the Viper and repositioning the iconic Detroit-built supercar for 2015, giving the snake more horsepower, improved fuel economy and a new starting price $15,000 less than the 2014 model it replaces. For 2015, the hand-built American exotic now delivers an increased 645 horsepower, gets up to 20 miles per gallon and is offered at a new starting U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $84,995.

Not to be overlooked are the pony cars. The 707HP Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the 505HP Chevy Camaro Z/28 and the 500+HP Ford Mustang GT350 are a little bit more within reach and yet each deliver outstanding road or track performance. Each of these will only hit your bank account in the $70,000 range.

And if you can’t find enough horsepower at you local car retailer, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering will give you more. Founded over 42 years ago by John Lingenfelter this globally recognized brand in the performance engineering industry offers engine building, engine and chassis tuning components and installation for vehicle owners. For example, engine packages are available for the Corvette Stingray to provide 700HP on upwards to 1000 HP.

Slightly tamer, but none-the-less a true performance car is the new Alfa Romeo 4C that was shown in both coupe and the new Spider variants. Priced starting at $53,900 this Italian style, racecar-influenced two-seater is very impressive. With 237HP coming from a 1.7-L turbo 4-cylinder it will run from zero to 60mph in about 4.2 seconds.

The 2015 Chicago Auto Show had many other supercars and exotics for show-goers to admire and dream about, namely the Audi R8, Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster, multi-million dollar Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, Ferrari California T, Ferrari FF, Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster LP700-4, McLaren 650S Spider and more.

Not to be outdone, performance models can be found from nearly every brand including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Cadillac, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Subaru and the list goes on. No matter what your budget and what your transportation need the pure entertainment value of the 2015 Chicago Auto Show allowed for anyone to have wonderful dreams.

© 2015 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy