BMW 650i
Standing out from the crowd
There's no doubting the amount of attention and controversy that has centred on BMW in recent times. Consider those, well, interesting styling directions and, er, innovative features like the iDrive controller.
If there's a car in the range that captures this commitment to bold individuality, it must be the 6-Series. Everywhere you look there's something going on. And driving it is certainly an experience - generally a good one.
But you would hope that would be the case. The 650i coupe as tested here is a $205,000 investment. If that's not enough, then you can go for the $221,800 convertible.
The 650i arrived last November to replace the 645Ci launched in 2004. The number change denotes an upgrade from a 4.4-litre V8 engine to the 4.8-litre first seen here in the facelifted 7-Series last year.
Other changes are less dramatic. The revised and supposedly easier-to-use iDrive system also is borrowed from the 7. There is now an engine start/stop button, a head-up display that splashes your speed and the occasional warning onto the windscreen, the latest-generation DSC+ and a function called high-beam assist. The latter monitors traffic conditions and independently deactivates the high beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. It is just one of many technological features in this car.
What hasn't changed is the styling. A highly subjective area, of course, but one that has been endlessly debated in recent years since American Chris Bangle levered BMW away from its traditional conservatism. The 650i is by no means the most objectionable of Bangle's creations, although it lacks the sheer class of the 6-Series from the '70s and '80s.
The rear end has a taxi-boot look, although here it's not as dramatic or imposing as the 7. The front end seems too low, the famous kidney grille and adaptive bi-xenon headlights almost disappearing out of view. The further side-on you get, the better the 650i looks. In profile, it is big and masculine, promising massive performance ability.
And the looks don't lie. The new engine's extra capacity delivers a 25 kW power increase to 270 kW and a lift in torque from 450 Nm to 490 Nm. Not surprisingly, that improves claimed performance, the 0-100 km/h dash dropping to 5.5 seconds from 6.1 seconds.
Fitted with Valvetronic variable valve control, double-Vanos variable camshaft control and driving the rear wheels via the ZF's excellent six-speed auto, this is an intoxicating engine.
This is also an eminently liveable drivetrain, happy to potter around town or cruise on the highway.
Fuel consumption was a pleasant surprise. Officially rated at 11.1 L/100 km as an auto and 11.9 as a manual - yes, a six-speed manual is a no-cost option - the on-test result was an acceptable 12.8 L/100 km.
Being fundamentally based on the latest 5-Series, the 650i is a fine handler. BMW has also provided the chassis with lots of electronic assistance. Dynamic Drive employs active sway bars to cut roll dramatically in corners and improve ride, while Active Steering changes its assistance and gearing depending on the speed. At slow (town) speeds, it flops from lock-to-lock amazingly quickly, then becomes slower and weightier as speeds rise.
Combine this with a surprisingly light kerb weight of 1640 kg - thanks to the extensive use of materials such as aluminium and thermoplastics - and the 650i proves to be a sensitive, confidence-inspiring and memorable car to steer along a winding road. Particularly when you add strong brakes and that stirring engine into the mix.
Considering the car's sporting nature, the stability control system is quite intrusive. You can raise the intervention point by swapping into DTC mode, or switch it off and rely on massive tyre grip. The Bridgestone Potenza run-flat tyres are certainly a good example of the breed. They are quieter than most but still seem to unsettle the ride more than is expected in a coupe of this technical excellence and price.
Yes, the price. No doubt you pay a lot, but you also get a lot for it, as the long standard equipment list in the specs chart testifies.
What the money doesn't bring you - and this seems to be a common BMW theme these days - is much in the way of interior storage space and flexibility. The two rear seats are very tight for leg or headroom if a full-sized adult is driving the car. Further back, surprisingly, is a sizeable boot.
Naturally, the front-seat passengers are much better looked after. The seats are massive, with extendable squabs and an obviously rich grade of leather is applied generously around the cockpit, along with real wood. The head-up display works well, but that iDrive remains a baffling annoyance.
Overall, the 650i is a testament to why BMWs are so loved by so many people. Yes, it's got its idiosyncrasies. But they cannot disguise this car's fundamental ability and quality.
What's it got?
Active steering; head-up display; front and rear parking sensors; dynamic drive; cruise control; DataDot anti-theft technology; alloy wheels; powered sunroof; bi-xenon adaptive headlights; fog lights; metallic paint; remote central locking; alarm system; CD audio system; satellite navigation; TV; voice recognition; dual climate-control air-conditioning; rain sensor including automatic headlight control; trip computer; power sports seats; leather upholstery; multifunction steering wheel.
What's missing?
Spare tyre, uses run-flats instead.