There’ll be more muscles flexing at the New York International Auto Show than at a Vin Diesel lookalike contest. It’s a chance to compare cars that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, capable of race-car performance but useable every day.

The 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 packs a 465 horsepower punch from its 6.4-litre Hemi V8 and delivers 465 lb-ft of torque, including an estimated additional 80 lb-ft at 2,900 rpm. A Mopar special edition will also be unveiled at the show (see below).

The second-generation Charger is even closer to the look and spirit of the original, its in-your-face styling inspired by the Dodge Charger coupes of 1968 and ’70. It’s a classic Coke bottle shape with scallops on the hood and sides.

In terms of technology, the latest Charger makes its iconic predecessors look like farm machinery. For 2012, the 6.4-litre Hemi gets an active intake manifold and high-lift camshaft with cam phasing to provide maximum low-end torque for impressive standing starts while optimizing high-end power. The fuel saver technology (four-cylinder mode) will engage over a wider rpm range, to deliver improved fuel efficiency or the use of all eight cylinders when power is needed.

For the first time in any Chrysler SRT product, a paddle-shifter joins the standard autostick. Both put the power down through the proven five-speed automatic transmission.

The cockpit features race-car-style carbon-weave and fiber aluminum interior trim pieces and the front seats have aggressive bolstering and perforated suede insert fabric to help “grip” the driver and passengers during hard cornering.

If the sound of that Hemi wasn’t music enough to enthusiasts’ ears, the Charger SRT8 features a 900-watt, 19-speaker premium performance audio surround-sound system from Harman/Kardon.

The current R/T costs $30,170, so the SRT8 will likely be close to $40,000.

* Over at GM, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 will be showing off its pecs and glutes. The supercharged V-8 engine producing an estimated 550 horsepower make this the fastest Camaro ever offered by Chevrolet.

The ZL1 name is an homage to the all-aluminum racing engine developed in the late 1960s and installed into a handful of regular-production 1969 Camaros. Only 69 were built with the engine, but they’ve achieved mythical status among enthusiasts.

The development team’s central goal was to create a Camaro capable of impressive lap times on top road-racing circuits and excellent driving dynamics on the street. To sharpen up the handling, engineers further evolved many of the existing Camaro’s systems, as well as incorporated new technologies such as electric power steering and Magnetic Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension system.

“Everything about the ZL1’s design is directly related to its technology and serious performance, especially aerodynamics,” said Ed Welburn, GM’s vice president, global design. “Our designers’ goal was to execute that function-oriented design with beautifully sculpted forms, creating an imposing, powerful persona. Function becomes the aesthetic.”

Major elements of the ZL1’s design are a new front fascia and hood with air extractors that create aerodynamic downforce to aid handling.

* The car the Camaro SL1 aims to beat will also be at the New York Show, and that’s its old enemy the Mustang in Shelby GT500 guise. The GT500’s 5.4-liter supercharged V8 puts out 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. It starts at $49,495, so we expect the SL1 will be close to that sticker price.

Meanwhile, Shelby American will bring along an 800hp 2012 GT500 Super Snake to the show. Shelby claims that this will be the most powerful domestic car released at the show. (It’s 800 hp with the optional Shelby/Kenne Bell tune.)

The package also includes 3.73 gears, short-throw shifter for the six-speed manual, Borla exhaust, Alcoa 20-inch wheels, Shelb/Baer brakes, unique Shelby hood, Shelby badges and embroidery. The Super Snake starts at $82,894.

* The svelte new 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG coupe joins the successful sedan from the fall. It’s handsome in a understated way, its performance potential given away by the multi-spoke black wheels with their slim silver ring and low-low profile tires.

Under the hood, its AMG 6.3-liter V8 delivers 451 horsepower and peak torque of 443 lb-ft, so by the time you’ve said “Hey, is that an AMG Mercedes?” the coupe has accelerated from zero to 60 mph (in 4.4 seconds) and it has a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). The AMG Development Package generates 481 hp and shaves 0.1 seconds off that accelaration time.

The new coupe shares all the technology updates from the 2012 C63 AMG sedan and features the AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed sports transmission with standard Controlled Efficiency mode. Gear changes in the S+ and M modes take just 100 milliseconds and the Race Start function allows the driver to harness the full acceleration capability.

Mercedes insists it’s too early to take a stab at the price, but the sedan is listed at $59,075, so the coupe may be a little less.

* Sports car maker Lotus has chosen the New York International Auto Show for the North American debut the more powerful version of its Evora.

The essence of Lotus has always been minimum weight and maximum handling. The new supercharged Evora S offers 345 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to more fully exploit the high levels of grip provided by its race-car inspired, double forged aluminum wishbone suspension.

Beyond the added power, the suspension settings have been further fine-tuned to respond even more directly to throttle, steering and braking inputs providing an even more instinctual and pure sports car driving experience.

The Evora S will be priced at $76,000 for the 2-seater or $77,500 for the 2+2 when it arrives.