The Chicago Auto Show opened its doors to the public last Friday. This kicks off the 10-day run of the country’s largest automotive showcase. With over 40 manufactures and every type of four-wheeled vehicle imaginable, the Chicago Auto Show doesn’t miss any section of the automotive industry.

The show is focused on stirring up hype in the public. This is done in two ways. First is the mirror like shines that adorn every car’s surface, but beauty is only superficial. The real excitement comes from the newest technology that is crammed into the next year’s models.

Auto manufactures are extremely willing to put all of their technology on display. This ranges from cut-away engines to driving simulations that lets drivers test the top speed of a racing car without the risk of being pulled over.

Yet, most of the technology is tailored to bring in the crowds. This year, manufactures continued to showcase alternate fuel technologies. Most of the major companies displayed several different hybrid vehicles, which received a lot of attention.

In past years, many of the Auto Show’s attendants thought that the hybrid vehicles were a joke compared to the racing cars displayed next to them. Due to improved batteries and better electronics, hybrids are no longer a laughing matter. Auto makers are now excited to display the technology of their hybrids.

Even though the Chicago Auto Show is know for concept technologies, it also features many smaller convenience technologies that improve vehicles instead of overhaul them. The “OnStar” system is one such technology that combines all the solutions to most motorists’ problems into one button.

Unfortunately, there is no demonstration of “OnStar” at the Auto Show. A key part of this car Mecca is the fact that average people can seat in almost every car and play with all the gadgets. Yet, many of the electronic displays, GPS navigation systems, and “OnStar” technologies are off limits to visitors. Even though, I did not get to test out the voice guided navigation system on some German sports cars, I did take a ride in a Jeep. Somehow, the Jeep division of Daimler Chrysler managed to put a test-track inside McCormick Place.

The test-track gives visitors the chance to be driven through a half a dozen obstacles and terrain features that can demonstrate the off-road capabilities of the vehicle. At one point in the course, the Jeep crosses a simulated river. I was disappointed that the river was less impressive than the Boneyard Creek, but I can understand the limitations of being indoors.

Even though the river reminded me of a “Slip and Slide”, the entire test ride was unexpectedly good. It has a steep hill about 15 feet high that actually pushes passengers back in their seats and the ride lasts longer than I expected, well over five minutes.

The test-track stands out as a highlight of the convention, but it is not alone. Most of the displays look familiar to previous years, and the vehicles are only slightly changed from last year’s models. Despite some small changes here and there, the Chicago Auto Show is always exciting and remains the best auto show to see.