Most Monstrous Cars At The 2015 Chicago Auto Show

One of the hallmarks of a big car show is the variety of its exhibits. The 2015 Chicago Auto Show will feature humble economy cars and intricate exotic luxury cars.

Somewhere between them, though, are some of the monsters of the automotive industry. These are vehicles stuffed with enormous capabilities that bring to mind the old-fashioned definition of "awesome," filling the beholder with a sense of awe.

Here are some of the major, monstrous cars on display at the auto show.

2015 Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat

From their 707-horsepower engines and bulging hoods right down to the "Hellcat" name, the maximum-performance versions of the Charger sedan and retro-styled Challenger coupe are textbook examples of monstrous. They start out as relatively mainstream and affordable cars with ordinary V6 engines, both of which were restyled inside and out for 2015. Then Dodge put in a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that rips the cars from 0-60 in less than four seconds, quicker than most luxury performance cars. The Challenger and Charger Hellcat aren't all-around polished luxury cars, but for your $63,000, you get downright ridiculous all-out performance, especially in a straight line.

2016 Ford Mustang GT350R

Its horsepower rating of "only" in the 500s seems downright quaint next to the Dodge Hellcats, but the 2016 Ford Mustang GT350R – newly unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show – is the meanest version of the Mustang line. Furthermore, while the Dodges are all about performance in a straight line, the high-performance Mustang is stripped of weight to help it go faster around a curved race track. With better handling, less weight and still a ton of horsepower, it's a focused track machine – a street-legal race car. While you're at the auto show, you'll want to compare it against the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, General Motors' equivalent car. And if you just want a powerful, fun muscle car to drive on the street, also try on the less high-end versions of the Camaro and Mustang that will fill the auto show floor.

2016 Cadillac CTS-V

If you like the Dodge Charger Hellcat's promise of a blazing-fast sedan with useful seating for five passengers, but aren't a fan of its humble mainstream origins, the newly unveiled 2016 Cadillac CTS-V (shown for the first time in Detroit) shows great promise. The only American alternative to European performance giants like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – and boasting more power than either – the CTS-V is entering its third generation with a 6.2-liter 640-horsepower V8, plus poised handling and a plush interior. Check out all three at the auto show.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Some monstrous cars start out as mild-mannered. Others were performance giants from the start, like the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Even the base Corvette has a powerful V8 and agile handling, but the $78,000 Z06 turns it into an all-out supercar. With 650 horsepower from its supercharged 6.2-liter V8, 0-60 flies past in less than three seconds – unreal for the price. Of course, even the base $54,000 Corvette has 460 horsepower and a 0-60 of 3.8 seconds.

2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

The other four monsters on this list are masterful for their performance on the street and track. But the upgrades to the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor turn a capable truck into the baddest off-road bruiser. This is the second generation of the off-road-focused pickup, and it will offer driving modes of Normal, Street, Weather, Mud and Sand, Baja and Rock Crawling. Other upgrades for the new model include a new turbocharged V6 and a stiffer body. The front end will be unique to the Raptor and make it clear that this truck is no mild-mannered plumber-hauler.

Also check out another mean truck that was shown for the first time in Detroit: the Ram Rebel, which has a tough, exclusive front-end styling treatment, along with off-road updates. It's not as crazy capable as the Raptor, but still improves upon the already off-road-friendly Ram 1500.

Brady Holt, a Washington D.C. newspaper reporter, has had a lifelong interest in cars in the automotive world, and he'll share his thoughts at every available opportunity. Brady has written for Examiner.com since 2008, publishing hundreds of car reviews, automotive news pieces and other features. His work can be found on Examiner.com.