Wheels Will be Spinning on World's Largest Indoor Test Track at 2005 Chicago Auto Show

- Auto show attendees to have a chance to ride in Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles on a specially designed half-mile driving course - Total display space equal to four football fields - Consumers able to experience more than 100 vehicles, live bands, video games, e-shot Web photos and other activities

CHICAGO, Feb. 7 -- Those looking to do more than just slam doors and kick tires at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show will want to make sure they visit the Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge displays at McCormick Place. Test drives, unique displays, games, giveaways, live bands and more will entertain and educate consumers throughout the 156,000-square foot display.

The Chicago Auto Show opens to the public on Friday, Feb. 11 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 20.

Consumers will have an opportunity to experience the many hot new Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge cars, trucks and SUVs on a specially designed half-mile course that moves through a range of on- and off-road challenges. The Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee are just three of the award-winning new products that will be available.

A variety of driving courses will highlight the characteristics of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands:

* Jeep Trail Rated Course -- includes fording a stream, maneuvering over logs and climbing a 15-foot-high hill with a 35% incline

* Dodge Truck Off-Road Course -- includes pulling heavy loads and demonstrating towing capabilities

* Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge On-Road Courses -- includes slalom course, washboard road and pothole simulation

"We know that people want to do more than just look at cars at an auto show," said George Murphy, senior vice president of Global Marketing for the Chrysler Group. "They want to experience how a vehicle handles, what its capabilities are both on- and off-road and the lifestyle that goes with the brand."

The half-mile driving track is not the only entertainment in the 156,000-square-foot display, which is equal to the size of four football fields. In addition to test drives, event goers will experience the personality of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands through interactive activities, including:

* Posing for e-shot photos that may be downloaded from Chrysler.com , jeep.com and dodge.com ;

* Playing video games at special branded kiosks; and

* Shopping for branded merchandise and collecting free prizes and giveaways.

Also featured is a "Kidz Safe" area, where visitors can have digital photos taken of their children and receive complimentary Home Organizer software, including the m.i.l.k (Managing Information on Lost Kids) Digital ID kit.

The Chrysler Group exhibit is located in the South Hall of McCormick Place. The test track is on the perimeter of the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge exhibit and will be open to anyone attending the show that is at least 44 inches tall.

"A key element in our growth is to allow consumers the opportunity to experience and feel the tremendous improvements in our products," added Murphy. "The Chicago Auto Show will provide consumers a one-of-a-kind experience in a pressure-free environment."

Indoor Test Track "Fun Facts"

* The half-mile test track is designed around the perimeter of the l56,000-square-foot Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge exhibit. This is equivalent to the size of four football fields.

* More than 2-dozen vehicles will operate on the test track at any given time. The test track will include challenges to help showcase the driving capabilities of each brand.

* Jeep Trail Rated course will demonstrate the Jeep brand's off-road capabilities, including traction, articulation, ground clearance, maneuverability and water fording. Highlights of the course include fording a stream, traveling at a 35-degree angle along boulders, maneuvering over logs and climbing a l5-foot-high hill.

* The Dodge course will consist of pulling heavy loads and towing in Dodge pickups as well as rough roads.

* Chrysler and Dodge passenger cars will travel through a slalom course, washboard roads and assorted pothole experiences to show the cars' agility and handling on rough road surfaces.

* More than 115 semi-trailers of track material, audio-visual equipment, exhibit properties and vehicles will be hauled into the exhibit space at McCormick Place.

* Over 1,100 cubic yards of topsoil, boulders, gravel, concrete and course timbers used in the creation of the test track.

* More than 40,000 feet of electrical cabling -- the equivalent of nearly eight miles -- will be used for lights, power and displays.

* The Dodge Ram's head stands 25 feet tall, 26 feet wide and is illuminated by more than 31,750 LED lights.

* Over 30,000 feet of overhead support trusses will be utilized.

* The test track and the auto show exhibit will be completed in less than seven days.