Do this: Browse through the 650i's gallery before you read on. Soak in the pictures, the car's sumptuous and generous proportions, elegant meaningful lines and Orion Silver metallic colour sitting above the proud 20” wheels.
As you do so, pause at the interior shots. Yes, you are staring at stitched leather on the dashboard, cinnamon brown Nappa leather and poplar grey wood trim. It is as good as it looks. Yes, you would look great behind the wheel, cruising along the Californian coast.
But that's just half the story. What you can't see in these pictures is the two-faced nature of the 650i cabrio. This car can be a serious ego-bruiser for those thinking that their Mustang GT, Camaro SS or Challenger SRT8 are untouchable. I've got news for you, bub.
Beneath that long, sensual bonnet lies dormant (at least when casually cruising) a tectonic-plate moving TwinPower turbocharged (that's two turbos) 4.4L V8. With no effort at all, the earth's crust is manhandled by 400hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. It, and the maniacal 8-speed sport automatic transmission, catapult the car to 100 km/h in 5 seconds on its way to a very limited top speed of 210 km/h. Stupendously fast for a 2,056 kg (4,523 lb) convertible land-yacht.
For those curious, the next M6 will most likely feature the M5's engine which is in fact this same lump, except that output has climbed to 560hp. Expect the M6 to change the direction of the rotation of the earth...
Land-yacht may sound “mean-spirited” but that's the way it is. With all the drive settings in Comfort, the 6-Series glides over all surfaces with nary a shudder unless the road is seriously broken. With Dynamic Drive, every paved surface can be your friend. In most cities, Comfort and Normal will suit the car perfectly. On the highway, go for Sport. Should you be the type to fully exploit your 650i cab (I applaud you), take it all the way to Sport+ and hang on to your dentures. Playing with Dynamic Drive also regulates throttle and transmission responses: the full package, my friend.
This car also has something called Integral Active Steering. This is a fancy way of saying four-wheel-steering. Here's what happens: Below 60 km/h, front and rear wheels steer (rear up to 3 degrees) in opposite directions. The opposite occurs at speeds above 60 km/h. This makes the car extremely manoeuvrable and comfortable to drive.
In all honesty, I don't care. Here's why: I “raced” (rolling at speed on the freeway) a previous-gen M6 one evening and he couldn't shake me... Remember that part about the earth's rotation?
It sounds brutal, but this car is the farthest thing from that. The 90-degree V8 is deceptively civil and uber-refined, almost to a fault. One generally disappointing characteristic of blown engines is how quiet they are. In the 650i, you really have to crank up the rpms before getting any type of aural satisfaction. Otherwise, all you get is a low meaningful murmur that won't necessarily turn heads.
Thankfully, the sheetmetal will do that for you, every time. You know what this car is like? It's like granite. Ever notice how everyone always needs to touch granite, or marble for that matter, when they see it? BMW has a fun commercial on this car and at the end, the doorman-valet-dude has to touch the car because the road scenery is being reflected on the car as if it was still moving. It's kind of like that. And although Orion Silver Metallic is not everyone's favourite colour, I think it does wonders for the car's curves.
Whether the canvas top be up or down, the car will get the same stares and glares that Gisele Bundchen would get walking through the local mall. You know what I'm talking about, that up-and-down, checking-you-out glance. When in place, the top creates a flying buttress shape over the rear deck; this beautiful element of design alone is worthy of praise.
Undeniably attractive inside and out, the 6-Series Cabrio is a proper GT cruiser with benefits. And what are these benefits? You can comfortably carry 3 of your best friends, regardless of sex, wherever you go. Even with the top up, headroom is decent in the second row. When said top is up, the trunk is surprisingly capacious. With the soft top down, there's still room enough for a day bag or two, which is far better than all retractable hard tops.
The car's massive power is matched only by the sheer amount of gadgets and the mind-numbing volume of technology on board the vessel. I couldn't begin enumerating the elephant-trunk-length grocery list of tech wizardry without asking you to pack your luggage for a weekend which, incidentally, would fit in this convertible...
Chief among the goodies is the iDrive system with an enormous 10.3-inch floating hi-res LCD screen. Once you've mastered its rotary knob and the straightforward controls surrounding it, everything can be manipulated on this screen be it the navigation system, satellite radio or a multitude of other features.
T
he same goes for safety equipment. For brakes alone, there are seven systems tied into them including brake pre-drying (when it pours outside) and brake fade compensation. Crazy.
So, am I saying that this is the best convertible in the world? Well, I've not driven an RR Phantom Drophead like someone else on our team, but I'd be willing to state that this is one of the most complete user-friendly drop-tops around. And, in comparison to the RR, it's dirt cheap!
Base price for the car is $120,000. And as tested, with a dynamic handling package, technology package, and executive package, that price tag creeps up close to $135,000. Like I said, chump change. OK, so it's pricier than the Pony cars... Win some, lose some.
The beauty of this car is that it can be as relaxing to drive as a 7-Series -- with the top down thank you very much -- or as exhilarating to pilot as any high-powered Grand Tourer. I love it.
Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com
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