Chicago Auto Show preview

Chicago is the "city of broad shoulders," so what better place than the Chicago Auto Show to launch big and rugged vehicles?

Expected this week at the show are an updated Ram heavy-duty pickup, a freshened Hyundai Santa Fe crossover, a special-edition Ford Explorer Sport crossover and a new version of the Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup. Nissan may unveil a redesigned Armada SUV.

After the press preview on Thursday, Feb. 11, and Friday, Feb. 12, the show will open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 13. Here are some notable vehicles expected at the show.

The Trax subcompact crossover, despite being on the market for just 14 months, is getting freshened. Look for added equipment and minor styling changes. Chevrolet continues to fill out its Camaro pony car lineup with the 1LE model, which features a revamped suspension system for better handling and several body updates. The Colorado midsize pickup and Silverado full-size pickup will be shown in new colors.

Ford will introduce at least one special-edition version of the Explorer Sport full-size crossover and will show a wheelchair-accessible Explorer with a sliding door.

The Korean automaker will debut freshened versions of the Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport midsize crossovers.

The Niro, a production version of the hybrid crossover concept first seen at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show, will have its global debut in Chicago. Built on a dedicated hybrid platform, the Niro is slightly larger than Kia's Sportage compact crossover. No word yet on cost, fuel economy and performance.

The German automaker continues to ramp up its commercial van division. In Chicago, Mercedes will show a Sprinter-based concept designed to emphasize how much cargo the big van can haul. Also, the newly launched minivan-sized Metris van will be on display.

Nissan plans to unveil an "all-new" vehicle in Chicago, but won't say what it is. But Nissan's giant Armada SUV, based on the Titan pickup, is long overdue for a redesign. And with the arrival of the redesigned 2017 Titan, the frame on which the Armada was based is out of production.

Look for a midcycle freshening for the bruising heavy-duty version of the pickup. Each freshening usually entails a slight power bump from the rugged Cummins-built inline six-cylinder diesel engine.

Toyota will show a new model or trim package of the Tacoma midsize pickup.