Frenzied Fashions (part 3 of 3).(News)

Nissan Pathfinder

]]]] Based on the Titan/Armada platform hogging the line at the new Mississippi factory, the 2005 Pathfinder is nonetheless a midsize SUV. The prototype for this closer-to-final version was shown, oddly enough, in Frankfurt last September as the Dunehawk. All Pathfinders have traditionally come from Japan, but this new, much larger version will be built alongside the new Frontier in Tennessee.

BMW 6 Series Convertible

]]]] The good news: BMW is not only resurrecting the 6 Series, long a fave 'round these parts, but will also roll out a 2004 four-seat convertible version for all those lovers of the sun. We can't wait to try it out, to drop the top and bask in its 325-hp open-air glory. The bad news: Eeeewww, that trunk! The styling theme introduced on the much-maligned 7 Series has infected what otherwise is a smashing-looking vehicle, and the cockpit sees installation of that most annoying of driver/controls interface, iDrive. Proof that you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Ford Five Hundred

]]]] Ford Motor Co. introduced its new Passat-oops! we mean Five Hundred- and proudly announced it will launch five new cars and crossover vehicles in 2004 (the others are the Freestyle, Mustang, GT and the facelifted Focus). The Avalon (darn, there we go again) is big at 200.7 inches long, as big as a Jaguar XJ8. Power comes from a 3.0-liter 200-hp V6, and the Five Hundred (there, we finally got it right) can be had with a six-speed automatic driving the front wheels, or a continuously variable transmission in either front- or all-wheel-drive mode. Base price for the 2005 model will be around $22,000.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited