If the 2015 North American International Auto Show->ke222 is a litmus test for the future of the automotive industry, sports car enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to. This year’s Detroit show had an eclectic mix of introductions ranging from high-efficiency green cars->ke4488 to pickup trucks->ke1311, but most surprising was the large number of high-horsepower performance cars.

Regardless of what type of performance you like, the Detroit Auto Show had it. There were high-powered sedans like the 2016 Cadillac CTS-V and 2016 Lexus GS F, there are more practical vehicles like Mercedes GLE63 AMG S Coupe and Ford F-150 Raptor and traditional sports coupes like the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider and 2016 Shelby Mustang GT350R also had their time to shine. Stealing the spotlight, though, was the debut of two awe-inspiring supercars->ke177: the 2017 Ford GT and the production version (finally) of the Acura NSX

While both of these cars showcase the future that awaits supercar enthusiasts, they both do so in slightly different manners. The Ford GT, which will enter production next year in time to run in the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, is all about racing with an aero-tuned body and the “most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever,” with initial estimates rating this mid-mounted, twin-turbo V-6 at more than 600 horsepower. The 2016 Acura NSX is more of a high-tech beast with a mid-engine, twin-turbo V-6 producing "north of 550 horsepower," which is paired to a three-motor electric drive system resulting in the latest version of Acura’s Sport Hybrid Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. Of course, we still have to wait for pricing on both of these new offerings, but it seems like the NSX will start in the $150,000 range while the GT will likely be a bit higher.

The birth of the hypercar may have already changed how we, as enthusiasts, look at sports cars (including the high-end supercars), but for now, we take a look at how the newest breed of supercars -- those that have debuted over the last year -- stack up against the Ford GT and Acura NSX.

Click past the jump to read more about how recently introduced supercars compare to the new Ford GT and Acura NSX.

2015 BMW i8->ke4622

The BMW i8 is the car that people in the ‘80s probably figured all cars would be like at by 2015. BMW’s futuristic plug-in coupe might be on the fringe of supercar conversation, but it’s hard to think of a car this stunning and this advanced as anything but “super.” Sure, the 362 horsepower and 0-to-60 time of 4.2 seconds might seem more applicable to a supercar from the ‘90s, but as an overall package, the i8 is the real deal. Similar to the NSX’s powertrain, the i8 combines a gas engine with an electric drive system – in this case a 1.5-liter three-cylinder sends power to the rear wheels and an electric motor and lithium-ion battery send power to the front wheels.

What the 2015 BMW i8 does best

The BMW i8 is the supercar of green cars positioned in the grey area hybridization between vehicles like the Chevy Volt and the Porsche 918 Spyder. It provides an all-electric driving range that is officially rated at 15 miles (although BMW claims 22 miles), while its lightweight construction and all-wheel drive give it the performance worthy of a supercar label.

How the NSX and GT Stack up

With its plug-in hybrid drive system and its futuristic styling, the NSX and GT can’t touch the i8 in these regards, but when it comes to pure speed, I’m sure most supercars (including the future Ford and Acura) will easily hand the i8 its lunch in an earth-friendly, recyclable sack.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT

Both the GT and the NSX are drop-dead gorgeous, but until the day you can walk into your Ford and Acura dealership and drive off in one, the current champion of supercar styling is hands down the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT. Backing up the GT’s devilishly good looks is a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 with up to 503 horsepower and acceleration from 0 to 60 in as little as 3.7 seconds. Pricing for this AMG coupe has not been announced, but it is expected to be in the $130,000 range.

What the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT does best

For years, Mercedes has wanted to compete directly with the Porsche 911, and the AMG GT is that car. This long-nosed, stub-tailed Mercedes has been fine tuned for track duty, which is the best place to enjoy any supercar.

How the NSX and GT Stack up

The AMG GT might be a great track car, but the Ford and Acura will both take moonlight as full-on racecars. This racing pedigree should give the NSX and GT a bit more street cred than the AMG GT, but there’s no doubt the Mercedes will give both cars a run for their money in production trim on a road course.

2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Now before we get all bent out of shape here, the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is a budget supercar, but a supercar nonetheless. We can’t take anything away from the Z06 in terms of performance or handling just because it has a starting price of $78,995. This car is tuned perfectly to dominate the track, and its 6.2-liter, supercharged, LT4 V-8 will keep up with just about any supercar you put it up against with an output of 650 horsepower and a 0-to-60 time of just 3.2 seconds.

What the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 does best

The 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is, for now, America’s best answer to supercars from around the world, and it does so, in some cases, at half the price of its competitors. Unlike everything is this list, too, the Corvette Z06 is available as a convertible.

How the NSX and GT Stack up

Both mid-engined, the NSX and GT will surely feel more balanced around the race track than the new Z06, but it sounds like Chevrolet could be preparing to debut a mid-engine Corvette (Zora) not too long after the GT arrives. That is the head-to-head battle we’re waiting for.

2015 Nissan GT-R NISMO

The Nissan GT-R started life with a price lower than that of the above-mentioned Z06, and it was still one of the best track cars on the road. Fast-forward to today and the GT-R finally breaks into the six-figure starting price, but it’s still a steal with amazing twin-turbo V-6 and high-tech all-wheel-drive system. Nudging the GT-R into the true supercar conversation, though, is the new-for-2015 GT-R Nismo with an output that has been retuned to 600 horsepower giving this car the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than three seconds. If that doesn’t scream supercar, nothing does.

What the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo does best

The Nissan GT-R holds its ground in the supercar arena thanks to its amazing speed, advanced technology and raw driving thrills, and last year’s introduction of the GT-R NISMO ups the ante in regards to all three. Costing more than double of what the it first sold for back in 2009, the GT-R has been constantly improved every year since its launch making it more exciting and better handling. Oh, and who doesn’t love to stand and ogle this car?

How the NSX and GT Stack up

Perhaps out of all the current supercars, a matchup between the GT-R NISMO and the NSX and Ford GT might be the most entertaining. A gambling man would definitely put his chips on the GT despite both cars running twin-turbo V-6s, but we could still see the Nissan giving the Acura a run for the money.

2015 Lamborghini Huracán

What would a supercar discussion be without mentioning Lamborghini? The latest Lambo to hit the scene was last year’s all-new Huracán, and this car has been tearing up tracks around the world ever since. Sticking to the big engines that Lamborghini does best, the Huracán is powered by a 610-horsepower, 5.2-liter V-10 that allows this coupe to get up to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 202 mph. The Lamborghini Huracán might be the closest to the pricing many are expecting from the 2017 Ford GT with a starting MSRP of around $240,000.

What the 2015 Lamborghini Huracán does best

The 2015 Lamborghini Huracán goes fast, and it looks incredibly good doing so.

How the NSX and GT Stack up

The NSX and GT might be down four cylinders compared to the Huracán, but power is power and both cars have plenty of it. Even better, we wouldn’t be all that surprised if the Acura and Ford end up weighing less than the 3,400-pound Lamborghini. What will be really interesting to see is if the GT and Huracán end up in the same price range. Only time will tell in that regard.

2015 Dodge Viper

Then there’s the Dodge Viper. Like the Huracán, the Dodge Viper is perhaps the last of the OG supercar that throws superchargers, hybridization and all of those other weight- and fuel-saving techniques out the window. Instead, it uses the Viper’s tried-and-true blunt impact weapon of an engine, the 8.4-liter V-10. For 2015, the Dodge Viper is now rated at 645 horsepower, and while Dodge hasn’t said what acceleration will be for this updated model, the previous (and short-lived) SRT Viper could get to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.

What the 2015 Dodge Viper does best

Standing as the quintessential American supercar with red, white and blue oil coursing through its aluminum-alloy engine block. The Viper is one of those performance cars that probably shouldn’t exist (and has struggled to as of late) with its unapologetic rawness, but we’re sure glad it does!

How the NSX and GT Stack up

Given how the standard C7 Corvette handily outperformed the Viper on the track, the Acura NSX and Ford GT should have no problem outshining the Viper on the track, but both cars will be priced significantly higher than the Viper as well. We only hope that Dodge had kept its Viper race program alive long enough so that we could see these cars battle it out with professional drivers behind the wheel during endurance races.