First Drive: Infiniti FX45; Rear-Wheel-Drive Returns; Agnelli Death Means Further Fiat Trouble; Auction Action at Barrett-Jackson; Porsche Execs Explain the Controversial Cayenne; Chrysler Targets California And Mercedes Goes All-Wheel-Drive - On TheCarCon

    DETROIT, Jan. 27 -- The auto industry is mourning the loss of
Fiat's Gianni Agnelli -- but what does the passing of the legendary figure
mean for Fiat's future?  Will it increase pressure on GM to buy out the
troubled Italian automaker?  Get the inside word in the new issue of
TheCarConnection.com .
    What do the Ford Mustang, Mercury Messenger, Dodge Magnum, Cadillac
Sixteen, Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate have in
common?  Besides debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, each uses rear-wheel-
drive.  And they're not alone.  Decades after automakers convinced buyers
front-wheel-drive is best, TCC reports on a rear-drive revival.
    If you can't decide on front- or rear-drive, Mercedes-Benz has a growing
fleet of all-wheel-drive luxury sedans and trucks.  TheCarConnection tests
them all in the snowy climes of Canada.  And this week's spy shot is the 2004
Mercedes CLK Cabrio.
    Fashion first: looking good doesn't have to end at the driver's door.  TCC
finds five hot cars to show your style in.
    Infiniti's turning heads with the new FX45.  Based on a sport sedan, this
crossover ute should draw plenty of attention for Nissan's upscale brand.
Take a test drive with TheCarConnection to see why.
    Wondering what's behind Porsche's controversial Cayenne?  Get the inside
word from designer Harm Lagaay and CEO Wendelin Wiedeking.  They're on the
record in a blunt TCC Q&A this week.
    Muscle cars, hot rods, one-of-a-kind racers, just about anything on wheels
went across the block at the Barrett-Jackson auction and TCC was there.
    It may not be the Summer of Love, but can Chrysler convince cool
California with its drive and love campaign?  See what the automaker is doing
to capture a share of the import-dominated West Coast.
    Other reviews include the Dodge Stratus R/T Coupe and the new Lexus RX330.
    Stay on top of the latest news, trends, tips and bargains with
TheCarConnection's free newsletters: Daily Edition for the view inside the
industry, and Weekly Car Guide for smart shoppers, sellers and owners.
    You'll find accurate new car pricing, reviews you can trust, weekly racing
results, TCC's OnSite Mechanic and more -- on the Web's Automotive Authority,
TheCarConnection.com .
    Web users also can access TheCarConnection through the PR Newswire site
http://www.prnewswire.com .