2005 BMW 645 Ci Road Test

The Makings of a Future Classic

Since first setting eyes upon the 645 Ci during its introduction in Malaga, Spain, it continues to stir up the emotional half

The new 645 Ci is breathtaking, in design and driving dynamics. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

of my soul. You see, I've been longing after a BMW coupe for as long as I've wanted a car, which is pretty well from my first year onwards.

The first 3.0 CS that caught my eye was at a used car dealer in my home town, Fjord Blue with dark blue leather hides, it was a sight to behold. The 630, 633, 635 and M6 models that came later set the luxury coupe benchmark for years to come, but no imitator managed to build a sporty two-door as elegantly styled and enjoyable to drive as BMW's original 6.

The new 645 Ci follows in this tradition. It is breathtaking, in design and driving dynamics. I coursed the Spanish mountains that surround the Mediterranean hotspot in all

The 645 is a superb driver's car; comfortable, precise and wonderfully quick. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

powertrain variations, which include one engine and three transmission choices. The 6-speed manual will forever be my favourite, but the car's 6-speed automatic with Steptronic manual-mode actuation is also an excellent gearbox, as is the paddle-shift operated 6-speed SMG sequential manual.

The opportunity to drive the 6 came again in and around Los Angeles, California the following year, at the North American introduction of the coupe and convertible model. Again, what a superb driver's car; comfortable, precise and wonderfully quick.