The history of the BMW 6-Series is one which goes back to the 1970's when BMW
launched the first 6-Series Coupe. Now, three generations later, we were handed
the keys to a black 2012 BMW 650i Coupe for a day of test drives through the
city of Rotterdam, one of the biggest naval ports in the world. The correct
setting for a drive in what BMW considers to be its top of the range model,
expect for the M-Division fettled M6 of course.
The 2+2 coupe invokes adjectives such as elegant, luxurious and high-tech
when we attempt to describe the coming together of the interior, exterior and
technical aspects. The 650i gets an all-new, aluminum-intensive structure based
on that of BMW’s 5- and 7-Series sedans. It lends an improved structural
rigidity and keeps weight down as much as possible. The body length is nearly
three whole inches longer than before, while the width has also increased by 1.5
inches and it is half an inch lower. This offers more room for rear seat
passengers.
The 6-Series was the first BMW model to receive the full LED treatment
including driving lights, indication lights, brake lights and rear taillights.
The two-door design of the coupe is the basis for the forthcoming Gran Coupe,
which will sport a four-door configuration. The front fascia has an aggressive
shark-style design to it with its wide kidney grills, sharp-edged front lights
and wide air intakes in the lower section of the bumper. At the rear, the new
taillights and the rear trunk provide a more harmonious combination with the
side and front profile with respect to its predecessor.
The mechanical machismo is provided by BMW’s 400hp twin-turbocharged 4.4
liter V8 engine tucked away at the front of the luxury coupe. The engine is
linked by a choice of eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual, both are
available at no extra cost. A sprint from standstill to 100km/h is done in a
mere 5.0 seconds with the acceleration continuing up to a limited 250km/h.
The forward acceleration of the 650i is combined with the responsiveness of
the ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic, which shifts quickly, precisely and
efficiently via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel or in automatic mode.
A slight turbo lag is present when you floor the throttle, but it is not in any
way worrying when you take the car for an everyday drive or a road trip across
the continent.
Part of the excellent ride quality can be attributed to the adjustable
Driving Dynamics Control system with its four different settings. Switching
between the settings provides the driver and his/her passengers with an
alternation in the throttle input, suspension firmness, shifting and steering.
The dampers stiffen, the engine becomes more responsive to the gas pedal, the
transmission is quicker to downshift and holds its gears longer. Opting for
sport mode also increases the electric power-steering system’s efforts.
The handling and steering are not up to the standards you would expect from a
BMW. As discussed before in our road test with the 5-Series, the steering lacks
that true direct feeling and does not offer the feedback you would expect from
this top of the range model. Still, there are no major hurdles regarding this
subject, because the 650i is not designed to be the ultimate cornering hero.
This is mainly due to its size and weight. Customers opting for the luxury
coupe, should focus on the brand new M6 and its direct steering featuring the
latest Servotronic hydraulic system, specifically tuned for the M6.
Inside the cabin, the driver has access to systems such as Surround View,
Parking Assistant, BMW Night Vision with pedestrian recognition, Speed Limit
Info, Lane Departure Warning System and Lane Change Warning System. The large
10.2 inch high-res display dominates the center console providing access to the
multimedia systems. The main screen is flanked by the radio controls, the
climate control, the iDrive controller and gear shift lever. Our test car was
even fitted with a Bang & Olufsen high-end audio system with 16 speakers for
a total of 1,200 watt sound and a dash-mounted tweeter.
All these options are new to the 6-Series and accompanied by an interior
design, which is more driver focused than its predecessor. The driving position
is excellent and provides easy access to all systems. The seats offer excellent
support and have extensions for people with longer legs. The seats at the back
are large enough for two medium sized persons, but being a coupe, it doesn’t
offer the ultimate levels of space. Those looking for more room at the back
should instead take a look at the 550i sedan.
The 2012 BMW 650i Coupe is all that it should be. The improvements with
respect to the engine, design and interior refinements make it a wonderful grand
tourer, capable of transporting its passengers from A to B in the utmost comfort
and refinement. The powerful turbocharged engine is a sheer pleasure for high
speed autobahn cruising, while passengers are being treated with the best
possible interior gadgetery and a complaint ride.
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This top of the line model within the 6-Series lineup is so composed at
highway speeds and easy to drive on twisty country roads – despite its size and
weight – that it conjured up fantasies of blasting along the autoroute to a
glitzy holiday home in St. Tropez with a beautiful German girl from Munich in
the passenger seat, a light breeze waving the trees and a wonderful blue sky
overhead. Unlucky as we were, our day inside the 650i was rainy and situated in
the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam. What a contrast!
