This year’s Chicago Auto Show serves up a delightfully bizarre cocktail of extremes – from face-melting horsepower to face-licking puppies.
The Beast That Demands Attention
Leading the charge is the absolutely menacing 2025 Corvette ZR1, a car that doesn’t just ask for attention – it threatens you into submission. Packing a savage 1,064 hp twin-turbocharged V8 that screams to 8,000 rpm, this mechanical monster will catapult you to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds. The cherry on top? A rear wing so massive it could double as a helipad. At US$174,995, it’s probably best to admire it from behind the ropes, unless you’ve recently won the lottery.
Electric Dreams and Weekend Warriors
In the more sensible corner, Subaru debuts its new Forester Hybrid, finally joining the electron party with a practical combination of two electric motors and their signature boxer engine . Meanwhile, Kia brought along what one witty observer dubbed the “Apocalypse truck” – their WKNDR concept, which looks like it was designed by someone who binge-watched Mad Max while scrolling through #VanLife Instagram posts.
Puppies: The Real Show Stealers
Because apparently Subaru knows that even the most impressive horsepower figures can’t compete with puppy power, they’ve continued their heartwarming tradition of hosting adoptable dogs at their display. Multiple shelters brought their finest four-legged friends, proving that “all dogs are puppies no matter how big or how old they are” . It’s a clever marketing strategy – you might come for the new Forester Wilderness, but you’ll leave with a new best friend.
The Future Is… Solar?
In perhaps the most surprising turn, tucked away amongst the commercial heavyweights is Calypso, a solar-powered challenger built entirely by University of Illinois students. This three-wheeled wonder can cruise for 250-260 miles on pure sunshine, thanks to its 257 solar panels. While its 75 mph top speed won’t trouble the ZR1, it’s impressive enough to have secured third place in last year’s American Solar Challenge .
The 2025 Chicago Auto Show runs through February 17th at McCormick Place, offering everything from sustainable futures to supercar fantasies – and yes, those adorable puppies. Adult tickets are $17, but the memories of seeing a Corvette that could eat your soul alongside adoptable dogs that could steal your heart? Priceless.
