Where a seamless blend of roof-optional advanced performance, styling and technology is concerned, few machines can claim the same impact on the market as the BMW 6 Series Cabriolet. Updated for the 2012 model year, BMW’s latest droptop has been revised, updated and refreshed to fulfill the needs of the market’s most discerning convertible shoppers. Comfort, safety, practicality and long-term value are all assured—as is a healthy dose of twin-turbocharged V8 power.
Beneath the 2012 650i’s sleek and sculpted skin, a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine cranks out 400 horsepower—thanks in part to a pair of intercooled turbochargers and direct-injection technology. Backed by 450 lb-ft of torque, the powerplant is engineered to deliver pleasing performance and sound effects, alongside excellent cruising mileage for those extended road trips. An 8-speed automatic transmission (yes, 8!) is standard—meaning, sadly, a manual gearbox will be unavailable. Expect 0-100 km/h times of 5.1 seconds.
On board, drivers can take in features like a 10.2-inch central display screen, BMW’s iDrive control system, full multimedia connectivity, navigation and a full suite of advanced safety and convenience features. These include blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, a lane-departure warning system, a parking assistant and even night vision with pedestrian detection.
Adaptive cruise control with the ability to fully stop the 6 Series in traffic is also on board, and the new 650i will debut BMW’s new three-dimensional, high-resolution heads-up display system, too. Apparently, “Starship Enterprise” was a close runner-up when BMW executives were choosing names for their latest work.
Tweaks to the 6 Series’ body have resulted in a car that’s some 74 mm longer than the outgoing model, as well as 39 mm wider and 9 mm shorter. Headroom in both seating rows has grown, and there’s more rear-seat legroom, too. Cabriolet models dispense of the cloth roof in 19 seconds and at speeds of up to 40 km/h. BMW promises that owners can fit two golf bags into the 650i, even with the roof stored. Surprise downpour? A quiet, dry and coupe-like interior is just 24 seconds away.
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| Where a seamless blend of roof-optional advanced performance, styling and technology is concerned, few machines can claim the same impact on the market as the BMW 6 Series Cabriolet. (Photo: BMW) |
Beneath the 2012 650i’s sleek and sculpted skin, a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine cranks out 400 horsepower—thanks in part to a pair of intercooled turbochargers and direct-injection technology. Backed by 450 lb-ft of torque, the powerplant is engineered to deliver pleasing performance and sound effects, alongside excellent cruising mileage for those extended road trips. An 8-speed automatic transmission (yes, 8!) is standard—meaning, sadly, a manual gearbox will be unavailable. Expect 0-100 km/h times of 5.1 seconds.
On board, drivers can take in features like a 10.2-inch central display screen, BMW’s iDrive control system, full multimedia connectivity, navigation and a full suite of advanced safety and convenience features. These include blind-spot monitoring, automatic high beams, a lane-departure warning system, a parking assistant and even night vision with pedestrian detection.
Adaptive cruise control with the ability to fully stop the 6 Series in traffic is also on board, and the new 650i will debut BMW’s new three-dimensional, high-resolution heads-up display system, too. Apparently, “Starship Enterprise” was a close runner-up when BMW executives were choosing names for their latest work.
Tweaks to the 6 Series’ body have resulted in a car that’s some 74 mm longer than the outgoing model, as well as 39 mm wider and 9 mm shorter. Headroom in both seating rows has grown, and there’s more rear-seat legroom, too. Cabriolet models dispense of the cloth roof in 19 seconds and at speeds of up to 40 km/h. BMW promises that owners can fit two golf bags into the 650i, even with the roof stored. Surprise downpour? A quiet, dry and coupe-like interior is just 24 seconds away.
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| On board, drivers can take in features like a 10.2-inch central display screen, BMW’s iDrive control system, full multimedia connectivity, navigation and a full suite of advanced safety and convenience features. (Photo: BMW) |