There's no mistaking the lineage in any vehicle in the BMW family as it has been one car company that has sought, perhaps more than most, to maintain the design image that it presents to the world.
The 650i convertible we drove is no exception. From the highly recognizable front end to the compound curves of the tail and rear deck treatment the 650i is a study in contemporary BMW design thinking. Even the fully radiused wheel wells filled with large alloy wheels and low profile performance tires can be found across the model line up.
The convertible top is raised and lowered by a one button system that features the deployment of the glass rear window as a wind deflector when the top is down.
The 650i is powered by a 4.8 Liter, 360 horsepower V-8 that develops 360 pound feet of torque and is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission that features a "Sport Button" that engages the Dynamic Driving Control feature.
Brakes are ventilated discs with ABS with Dynamic Brake Control and the car features roll stabilization, traction control and electronic brake force distribution.
The EPA estimates fuel consumption for the automatic equipped 650i at 17 City/25 Highway, burning premium gasoline, with the manual transmission delivering 16/City and 22 Highway.
Natural wood and leather appoint the interior that includes heated, power front seats, an adjustable multi-function steering wheel and a surprisingly large and comfortable rear seat...the likes of which is not always the case when much of the rear seat leg room is given over to convertible top mechanicals.
Located in the center console, BMW's I-drive controls many of the vehicles comfort and entertainment functions including the premium audio and navigation systems. And, as you'd expect, state of the art airbags are featured throughout.
The MSRP for the BMW 650i convertible is $81,700 and it comes with a 4-year/50,000 mile warranty. But fair warning, our "nicely equipped" drop top carried a sticker a full $10,000 more.
Top up or top down...the 650i convertible from BMW. Style and performance with just the right splash of driving fun.