4 Test Tracks and 1 Thrill Ride

     One of the staples of the Chicago Auto Show are the test tracks. And this year is no exception. Most years feature 3, but the year features 5 of them. Toyota's entry features various obstacles, a demonstration of the 360 Degree exterior camera, and a teeter-totter. Heading over to the Jeep track, you are whisked away from McCormick Place and taken to Camp Jeep, featuring their new vehicle which can roll through standing water, suspension testing, a 25 degree angle lean, and Mt. Jeep, an 18-foot hill where you can look over the entirety of McCormick's South Hall. The FCA City Drive features your choice of Dodge, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicles. If you choose to ride in the Dodge Charger, you can learn about how fast it goes from 0-60, or about all the cool apps you can get on it(like local movie times or even Gas Prices for your trip). If you're just worried about speed, you'll get that too, as the final part of the track consists of a straightaway that lets you feel the acceleration of the vehicle for yourself. One of the new tracks this year features the Ram brand. Get in one of these, and you can see how it's internal hydraulics works to balance out a heavy load in back. A 1,200 lb weight is lowered onto the bed of the truck, then the truck raises itself back up so that you have maximum ground clearance. When the weight is removed, the truck lowers itself back down. After that there are more obstacles to tackle, and another angle lean to show how well the Ram handles.

      I just covered 4 of the test tracks at the show. However, the 5th one deserves a paragraph all to itself. Joining the Ram track as a new arrival to the 2017 show is the Iron Schockl. Brought to us by Mercedes-Benz, it is the simplest-looking track, merely consisting of a single 16-foot hill. But that's not what will make it without a doubt the most popular Test Track(and arguably most popular attraction period) at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. What will make it the most popular is the fact that it features a 42.5 degree incline going both up and down. To be in the car as it goes up the Schockl is an experience that must be had to be appreciated. I waited in line for close to 15 minutes yesterday, and this was during Day 1 of the Media Preview. I fully expect there to be massive lines at the Schockl for all 10 days of the public show.