High Performance Chevrolet Cars at the Chicago Auto Show

The annual Chicago Auto Show is in full swing February 11-20, 2017, and automotive manufacturers are taking the opportunity to show off everything they have been working on over the course of the past year. As much as we enjoy checking out what will eventually arrive at our Chevy dealership in the near future, we are also big fans of the concept vehicles on display in the Windy City. The annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas is better known for speciality car concepts and aftermarket products, but that doesn’t mean other auto shows can’t also take part in the fun. At the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, one company is having a particularly good time with our favorite automotive brand – and we think you will love what they have created for the pleasure of attendees at this year’s largest automotive show.

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering

Before we get into the specific concept cars mentioned earlier in this post, let’s first get acquainted with the amazing company, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. More easily referred to as LPE, this speciality automobile modification company is based in Decatur, Indiana, and was founded by NHRA driver, John Lingenfelter. While LPE has crafted speciality versions of various makes and models, the company has a longstanding relationship with General Motors. Over the years, LPE has created high-performance vehicles for the Impala, Suburban, Tahoe, Escalade, Denali, and Hummer H2, just to name a few. LPE has also worked on packages for the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler, but remains largely dedicated to all things GM

LPE Shows Off with Chevrolet in Chicago

As Chicago is essentially the halfway point between Michigan and Indiana, it’s no surprise that the General Motors brand and the Decatur-based speciality parts company are making a big impact at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. Teaming up to bring extremely capable and enhanced versions of our already favorite bowtie brand models to the Windy City, LPE and General Motors are easily the stars of this year’s auto show. With three high performance models modified by LPE, the Chevrolet booth is sure to be one of the most crowded this year as attendees explore these one of a kind versions of Chevy’s sports car lineup. Take a look at the Chevrolet models that LPE has enhanced for this year’s Chicago Auto Show.

• 2017 Lingenfelter Chevrolet Corvette Z06: Boasting an impressively eye-catching red exterior paint job, this special edition of the Corvette Z06 has plenty more to offer than the enhanced aesthetic appeal it wears so well. Under the hood of this high-powered Corvette is a V8 engine capable of delivering 800 horsepower, and a perfectly matching 800 lb.-ft. of torque. A responsive 8-speed automatic transmission is mated to the beastly engine, along with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Carbon ceramic brakes round out this incredible package, and make it even more track-worthy than it already was.

• 2017 Lingenfelter Supercharged Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: The second souped up performance-enhanced model brought to the 2017 Chicago Auto Show by LPE is a variant of the Camaro ZL1 model. Also boasting the same high-powered V8 engine capable of 800 horsepower and 800 lb.-ft. of torque, the Camaro ZL1 comes with a more traditional six-speed manual transmission for an enhanced experience from behind the wheel. This tweaked sportscar comes equipped with a Chevrolet Flowtie, magnetic ride control, custom graphics, and Brembo brakes.

• 2017 Lingenfelter Powered C2 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport: For Corvette enthusiasts who love power as much as they love the famous sports car, this version is absolute perfection. A custom 427-cubic-inch Lingenfelter LS7-based engine sits under the hood of this ‘Vette, which delivers 603 horsepower and plenty of speciality enhancements that help harness the increased power. Some of those enhancements include a CNC air cleaner, CNC ported LS3 cylinder heads, roller camshaft components, valve train components, a wet sump oil system, throttle bodies, a wiring harness, and so much more.

As fun and exciting as it is to check out these cars on the showroom floor at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, it would be even more fun to get behind the wheel on the track. While there is no word on whether or not these cars will ever end up for sale through General Motors, the ZL1 and Z06 will both be up for a charity raffle after the Auto Show wraps up on February 20. The Dream Giveaway charity raffle will benefit New Beginning Children’s Homes, with both vehicles raffled as Signature Edition Serial #001 models.

LPE at the 2016 SEMA Show

While the SEMA Show took place in Las Vegas months prior to the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, it was a big year for LPE and Chevrolet, and most certainly worth talking about. At the 2016 SEMA Show, LPE debuted a performance-enhanced version of the Grand Sport Corvette, which boasted an impressive powertrain and an appearance worthy of a Throwback Thursday post on Facebook. The speciality automobile parts company also brought a sixth generation Chevrolet Camaro and widebody C7 Corvette to the SEMA Show, both of which garnered an immense amount of attention from attendees and industry experts alike. Just as LPE is raffling off models at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, so did they donate a C7 Corvette for the Dream Giveaway at the 2016 SEMA Show. Any company that works hard to provide the world with enhanced versions of already awesome cars, and does their part to help charities – is more than worthy of praise in our book.

If you can’t make it out to the Chicago Auto Show this year to see these incredible LPE Chevrolet models in person, be sure to keep checking back here to learn more about each model and how you can take advantage of the opportunity to win one in a Dream Giveaway raffle. As far fetched as the that possibility may seem – it isn’t called the Dream Giveaway for nothing. You can also come down to see the team at McCluskey Chevrolet here in Cincinnati. While we may not have any LPE modified cars on our lot, we can help you customize your dream Chevy Corvette or Camaro to perfectly match your desires and needs both on the road and on the track.