Chi-town hustle; (Or what to do while Wrigley Field is closed for winter).

Judging by the significant vehicles debuting at the 100th Chicago auto show, America's Second City isn't playing second fiddle to anyone. As the biggest consumer show on the circuit, is there a better place to roll out the darlings of the dealership midway-trucks? From Dodge's brand-spanking-new Ram to Nissan's suddenly supercharged Xterra, trucks galore fill McCormick Place, open to the public Feb. 9-17. Some highlights:

Trucks, Part I: The 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 made its world debut in Chicago. Chrysler's truck builders threw out the rulebook back in 1994 when the Ram's distinctive bulging sheetmetal made the industry rethink typical boxy styling. It was a polarizing design that more people liked than didn't: Ram sales jumped from 70,000 units per year to a record 439,000 in 1999. The new Ram sports the similarly unmistakable styling; two more fuel-efficient Mag-num engines, a 210-hp 3.7-liter V6 that replaces the 175-hp 3.9-liter V6, and a 235-hp 4.7-liter V8 that replaces the 230-hp 5.2-liter V8 of old; three more inches of interior space; improved suspension and, for the first time, rack-and-pinion steering on 2wd and 4wd models. Production begins this summer and Ram 1500s will be in showrooms by early fall, followed closely by the larger 2500 and 3500 models.

Trucks, Part II: The Ford F-150 Lightning Rod concept. Ford says its ``hard-core, tattooed appearance is inspired by the resurgence of rock-and-roll and the current fascination with body art.'' Hey, that's Ford talking. Lightning Rod is an F-150 that's lowered, stretched and finished in cherry red metallic paint, with a recessed aluminum grille reminiscent of a '60s muscle car. Twin horizontal neon tubes replace headlights and taillights. Underhood, a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 pumps out 380 hp at 4750 rpm, and 450 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. A traditional Maori tribe tattoo motif shows up on the leather tonneau cover, is carved into the 20-inch tire treads and embedded into the leather bucket seats and the headliner. For the Maori people of New Zealand, tattoos identify status or leadership; Ford's tattooed truck denotes leadership among trucks. Perhaps this is Ford's foot into the Kiwi market.

Trucks, Part III: 2002 Nissan Xterra. Though it may look like the same Xterra you've seen in the past, this supercharged one has the horses to back up its do-anything, go-anywhere style. The blower on top of the 3.3-liter dohc six-cylinder-direct from its Frontier S/C compact truck-pushes output to 210 hp, up 40 hp over the normally aspirated model. Other Xterra changes include revised front fascia and interior.

Yes, there are cars at Chicago, but not all in the attire we've come to know and love. Toyota shows off its Rugged sports Coupe (Cover Story, page 16), while Pontiac trots out a similar concept in the form of the REV, an all-wheel- drive rally sports coupe. ...