Make Sure You Have Snow Tires: 2014 Chicago Auto Show Preview

By Benjy Lipsman in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 6, 2014 5:10PM

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (Photo credit: Benjy Lipsman/Chicagoist)

The Super Bowl is the highlight of the winter for many. But unless our Bears are playing, we look most forward to the weekend after—when the Auto Show comes to town! The 2014 Chicago Auto Show opens to the public on Saturday, Feb. 8 at McCormick Place and runs through Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 17).

Billed as the largest auto show in the world, the 106th edition will feature over 1,000 cars and trucks on display spread over a million square feet of McCormick Place. Everything from the most affordable basic transport to lavish exotics will be present, with most vehicles open for the public to check out (though sadly not those high end luxury cars with the home-sized price tags). We imagine the SUVs might be popular with show attendees this year, given all the snow we've suffered through and the limitations our two-wheel drive vehicles suffer in this mess. We also expect to see more diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles featured.

Most of the new car debuts already took place at shows in Los Angeles and Detroit earlier this winter, but there will be a few new models officially introduced here in Chicago, as well as some concept cars to dream about owning one day.

Tickets for the Chicago Auto Show are $12, but discount coupons are available at local new car dealers. The show is open 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. daily (closing at 8:00 p.m. on the 17). We'll be back on Monday with a gallery of our show highlights.