BMW 650i Coupe Review 2012

By David Colman
For: Do-It-All Nature, Space, Grace, Pace
Against: Exterior Rear View Mirrors Too Small
If you need a sportscar and a high performance sedan, look no further than Bimmer’s 650i. Granted, it’s a tad pricey at $101,675. But if you perceive it as 2 cars in 1, you’re on the right reasoning track. If you’re willing to alot $50,000 for each purpose the 650i fulfills, then you’ve saved yourself from buying an extra car. Let’s examine this genteel beast from the sportscar perspective first. Are 400hp and 450 lb.-ft. of torque enough to slake your thirst for V8 twin turbo power? They should be, considering the 650i will turn 107mph in 13.4 seconds through the quarter mile, and post a 0-60mph time of 5.1 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 150mph. If that isn’t serious sportscar territory, than nothing is.
But what about the handling? In a word, superb. BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control (DDC) system, which is standard on this car, allows you to dial up just the right amount of steering feedback, suspension control, throttle response and traction control permissiveness you need when pushing the performance envelope. An easily accessible button on the standard “Fine Line Oak Wood” center console allows you to bump the default DDC setting from Comfort to Performance or Performance+. If you hold the button down for 10 seconds in the Performance+ setting, you disable Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), putting your enthusiasm and talent in control of the situation. You’ll want to be exceptionally careful in this DSC-deleted Performance+ mode, because many of the safety net override systems are disabled, making it possible to lose control of this heavy and powerful vehicle if you don’t know what you’re doing.
 
Even though it weighs 4,380 pounds, the 650i feels much more agile than its weight would lead you to believe. That’s because a number of optional systems work in consort seemingly to defy the limits imposed by mass and gravity. Leading the way is Integral Active Steering ($1,750) which really translates into 4-wheel-steering. As you enter a turn, the rear wheels cock slightly in the direction of the turn to augment the adhesion of the huge 20 inch diameter alloys and Dunlop Sport Maxx run-flat DSST tires (245/35/20 front, 275/30/20 rear) which are standard on this model. At 37mph, rear wheel steering turn entry enhancement ends. Further aiding handling agility is the ingenious Active Roll Stabilization ($2,000), which tailors anti-sway bar tension according to need. The faster you drive, the stiffer the sway bars become.
Now let’s examine this coupe’s contribution to family harmony. Although access to the rear seats is by definition limited in any 2-door vehicle, this BMW does its best to make back seat usage feasible and comfortable for all concerned. An oversized latch on the top of the front seats allows back seaters to tilt their way into the plush pair of rear lounge chairs. Even better are the exquisitely crafted front 20-way power Multi-contour chairs, complete with Nappa leather covering and optional ($500) 3-stage heaters. The commodious 16.1 cubic foot trunk, unencumbered by the need to house a spare tire thanks to the run=flat Dunlops, will hold enough baggage to take three adults and their suitcases across country. And what a fine trip it promises to be. On the open highway, the twin turbo V8 settles into a relaxed gate that nets you 23 MPG. Slip the Dynamic Driver Control system into Comfort+ mode, and the 650 metamorphoses from a backroad burner to a freeway cruiser extraordinaire. The optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound Package ($3,700) provides an endless array of entertainment options, from 1 year of free Sirius Radio to iPod and USB integration. So if you need a concert hall on wheels with the ride comfort of a ‘60s Cadillac, then give this Bimmer a close look. Because it’s the very same car that will run with a Turbo Porsche on any backroad of your choice.

2012 BMW 650i Coupe

• Engine: 4.4 liter V8, Direct Injected and Twin Turbocharged
• Horsepower: 400hp at 5,500rpm
• Torque: 450lb.-ft. at 1,750rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 15 MPG City/23 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $101,675
• Star Rating: 9.5 out of 10 Stars

Posted by: D.Colman

BMW Coupe Zagato 2012

BMW Zagato collaboration with Aston Martin and Zagato V12 comes with a very impressive supercar. But this year, the Italian design company changed direction and worked with BMW to provide Coupe Zagato equally fabulous.

While BMW's design ethos is perhaps best known for aggressive surface-fire language, takes a decidedly different approach Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este this weekend when it launched Coupé Zagato concept.

Summing must be based on the current Z4, Coupé Zagato was coachbuilt by famous design studio Milan to Kamm-tailed swoopy prototype you see here. Word on the shores of Lake Italy is that, along with a new form, BMW has also increased its output to 400 horsepower coupe - possibly from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight six that produces 340 horsepower.

BMW Coupe Zagato combines design cues from both companies and have been entirely hand built. You will see that very long hood is definitely an element of the BMW, but the radiator grille and headlights have certainly received treatment Zagato. This car has a very cool cat Rosso Vivace ranging from something close to brilliant red to black depending on the light

Viewed from the front, the new Zagato Coupe is definitely a stunning interpretation of the classic BMW look. It has twin circular lamps, grille kidney-shaped radiator, and BMW logo, and a pair of air intakes used to cool the machine down. BMW radiator grille is traditional, however, have received treatment Zagato. Frame kidney matte Buckmister inspired by Fuller's geodesic structure and being that it is created by Zagato, it gets a "Z" letter to the kidney grille.

Perfect hood continued to double-bubble roof as the body lines continue toward the back of the car, the design lines signed by Zagato. The back also has been designed in a traditional style 2 seater Zagato, while adopting the hip classic lines BMW Roadster.

Side air vents mimic the shape of the intake hood and extend dynamic agenda for the sides of the car, while developing strong over the rear wheels raised and endorsed by spoiler, inject the entire area with an additional dynamic impetus.

The rear of the car has the clearest evidence of the influence of this Zagato: it was formed almost without a single joint and offering a strong, sturdy and language design goals. A transparent panel is divided into three sections offer a more sporty Coupe Zagato. For even more powerful stance, rear bumper protruding lower feed into the diffuser.

Coupe Zagato is the final element of their impressive 19-inch light-alloy wheels in five-spoke design classic sporty.

Interior BMW Coupe Zagato is structured by BMW, while Zagato designed a concept exclusive to the color and material concepts. The horizontal line on the instrument panel and doors are all fitted with hand and fits perfectly with the exclusive leather trim with light and dark gray. The instrument panel, doors and seats received a red decorative stitching to match the exterior paint cars, and the letter "Z" has been embroidered into the seats.

We have learned that the engine pumps out rather impressive-to-size-400 horsepower, but that's not even the most remarkable.

The most impressive part of this concept Zagato is not power or looks amazing. What drew us in was impressive sound. This beast does not sound like your typical, BMW convenient. This really sounds like a race car race just looking for a little asphalt to lay some rubber vulcanized on. We are now able to share this with your voice, thanks to the Concorso d'Eleganza video of Villa d'Este this fantastic Bimmer judge rolled into the red mat.

Cadillac CTS Coupe 2010

This is the new Cadillac CTS Coupe, a sleek two-door Caddy that will join the CTS line-up alongside the saloon and Sport Wagon estate when US sales start in spring 2010, and take on BMW's 3-series, Audi's A5 and Infiniti's G37 Coupe.

This production Cadillac CTS Coupe looks very much like the concept car…

It does indeed look like the concept, right down to the twin central exhausts and hidden touch-pad door handles. Yes, there have been some minor tweaks to the front and rear lights and bumpers since we saw the show car at Detroit in 2008, but the overall appearance is pretty similar.

The two-door sits on the same wheelbase as the CTS saloon but it’s 51mm lower and 51mm shorter, meaning the five-seat arrangement is reduced to a 2+2 configuration. Externally only the headlights, front bumper and grille are carried over from the saloon.

Cadillac has yet to release any interior shots, but inside the CTS Coupe will share its instrument panel and centre console with the saloon and estate, giving it one of the best-built and impressive American interiors ever. We also suggest speccing the 14-way adjustable Recaro seats, previously only available as an option on the CTS-V.

What’s under the bonnet?

Initially there’ll only be one powerplant, a direct-injection 3.6-litre V6 producing 304bhp and 273lb ft. A six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive is standard, but both a six-speed auto and four-wheel drive are both optional - choose the lot and the CTS Coupe will weigh in at a portly 1874kg.

But towards the back end of 2010 Caddy will also release a V-Series version of the CTS Coupe, packing the same 556bhp supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that’s found in the CTS-V saloon, and putting all its power through the rear wheels.

The Cadillac CTS Coupe will be unveiled at the LA auto show at the start of December, with US sales starting in spring 2010. UK sales have yet to be confirmed.

(By Ben Pulman,First official pictures)