2009 Chicago Auto Show

Okay, so it's the middle of winter and Chicago is putting on an auto show. While ogling that dream car, you know in the back of your mind that perhaps it's an impractical choice when dealing with nasty weather. The solution? All-wheel-drive exotics. You can have your cake and eat it, too.2009 Lamborghini Murciélago

Okay, so all-wheel drive on the 2009 Lamborghini Murciélago probably won't help you much in the snow, but it sure helps put the 632 bhp down to the pavement. The Murciélago — a striking 2-door with a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V-12 — turns heads wherever it goes thanks to its origami-inspired styling and outrageous scissor-style doors. With all four wheels doing the work, the Murciélago sprints to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro

Perhaps the sexiest 2-seater to come down the road in recent memory is the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro. This shapely mid-engine exotic not only has all-wheel drive, but thanks to an all-new 5.2-liter V-10 pumping out 518 bhp, it now has much-needed muscle, which enables it to charge to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Of course, you can always opt for the standard R8, which is powered by a 4.2.-liter V-8 making only 420 bhp.

2009 Bentley Continental GT Speed

This comely coupe is as powerful as it is surefooted. The 2009 Bentley Continental GT Speed has a twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 that sends 600 bhp to all four wheels, enabling this British-built supercar to hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. But fast is only half of it. The richly appointed interior with matched wood veneers, luxurious leather and chromed organ-stop air vents makes this 2-door wonder a pleasure to savor either at speed or standing still.

2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic

Here's where practicality and luxury meet. The 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550 4Matic takes the winter worry out of driving Mercedes' flagship sedan. Power is sent to all four wheels from a 5.5-liter V-8 that produces 382 bhp. The S-Class blends stately exterior styling with a luxurious interior that offers quiet solitude from the winter elements. In addition to all-wheel drive, the S-Class boasts such conveniences as automatic set -and-forget cruise control.

2009 Nissan GT-R

Shaking up the exotic car status quo is the 2009 Nissan GT-R, a supercar from an unlikely source. The Japanese automaker fits this muscular-looking 2-door coupe with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6 pumping out an astounding 470 bhp. The GT-R is capable of 0– 60-mph acceleration of about 4.0 seconds. And yes, it has all-wheel drive with three settings: Normal, R (for high-speed track work) and Snow, which uses a less aggressive shift strategy to make this powerful exotic a car for all seasons.