2009 BMW 650i convertible review, test drive

The 6-series is powered by a large-capacity 4.8-litre V8. Spin this large bore motor to 6300rpm and you will get 367bhp flowing through to the rear wheels. Still, if it’s brutal acceleration you are looking for, you are likely to be slightly disappointed, at least initially. While there is a strong and steady shove in the back, it’s not explosive. The 650i only seems to get into its stride at around 60 or 70kph, after which acceleration gets progressively stronger and stronger. 100kph comes up in 7.3 seconds, 150kph in 14.1sec, the BMW still pulling hard at 200kph that comes up in 25.8sec. For a car with a power-to-weight ratio of 190-odd bhp per tonne, you expect it to be quicker but we suspect that running on our low-octane fuel, the motor isn’t making all its claimed horsepower. It’s also important to remember that this is not the same twin-turbo motor found under the hood of the 750Li, which is much more potent.

If you’re looking for a sports car experience, you are somewhat missing the point. The 650i actually does an amazing job of being a Grand Tourer. It attains seriously high velocities effortlessly, often even on less-than-full throttle, it has massive lungs and never runs out of breath and the sometimes lazy six-speed auto ’box syncs perfectly too. Initially disappointed by the lack of punch, you tend to ignore the build-up of power and speed until whoa, you suddenly look down at the speedo which indicates a ludicrous figure. And this happens quite often.  

Someone spending approximately five times the value of a regular luxury car on the 650i may not be inordinately perturbed by fuel economy which expectedly is appalling. The 3.8kpl we got in the city and 6.9kpl on the highway served to remind us that large petrols can be pretty thirsty.