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"BMW just took the wraps off the all-new 650i Convertible, which will go on sale in the spring of 2011 as a 2012 model. In short, we like what we see\u2014a stylish new ride packed with the latest chassis technology and loads of comfort, infotainment and safety features. BMW says the lines projecting outward from the nose (and continuing rearward) take their cue from &amp;quot;the movement of waves sent out by the bow of a motorboat piercing the water.&amp;quot; We can see that.   We can also see how the new looks are highlighted by a long wheelbase, a sweeping hood, a rear-set passenger compartment and a muscular profile. The soft top has a flying buttress design, and the luxurious cockpit features a huge 10.2-in. display for the standard iDrive control system. In size, the new 2+2 650i Convertible is 2.9 in. longer than its predecessor, with a wheelbase stretched by 3. It&amp;#039;s also 1.5 in. wider, and the added size means the angle of the rear seatback is now less upright, more in line with that of BMW&amp;#039;s sedans.   BMW&amp;#039;s direct-injected 4.4-liter V-8 is underhood, a &amp;quot;reverse-flow&amp;quot; design whose twin turbos (in the vee between the cylinder banks) help the engine produce 400 bhp at 5500 rpm and 450 lb.-ft. of torque at a super low 1750 rpm. Smooth, powerful and efficient, this powerplant mates to BMW&amp;#039;s new 8-speed Sport Automatic gearbox or\u2014drum roll, please\u2014a traditional 6-speed manual transmission. See why we like BMW?   According to BMW, the new 650i Convertible hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with either geearbox, and the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. The 8-speed Sport Automatic allows the driver to select gears manually via shift paddles on the standard Sport leather steering wheel.   Under the skin, new BMW 650i Convertible has double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear that employ lots of weight-saving aluminum. Standard Driving Dynamics Control allows the driver to choose Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport+ suspension settings via a large rocker switch on the center console. This affects throttle response, steering assist, the shock absorbers and automatic transmission shift characteristics. Optional Active Roll Stabilization combines with BMW&amp;#039;s standard Dynamic Damper Control to offer the driver precise response and perfectly flat cornering ability. The electronically controlled shocks adjust continuously and independently in both compression and rebound. All-season run-flat tires, size 245/40R-19, are standard.   Opening the roof of the 650i Convertible takes 19 seconds; closing it takes 24 . As with the previous 6, both operations can be activated while on the move at speeds up to 25 mph (40 kmh). Of note, the heated vertical glass rear window is retracted independently from the soft top itself. This reduces the volume of the soft-top components that need to be stowed, leaving more room for luggage in the trunk. What&amp;#039;s more, the independent rear window can be used to get just the right amount of fresh air in the car. And keeping it up while the top is down minimizes air turbulence in the rear.   As you might expect of a new BMW convertible, the 6 has standard Roll-Over Protection System. This system, which consists of two high-strength aluminum roll-bars hidden behind the rear head restraints, deploys whenever the integrated safety electronics sense that the car is at risk for rolling over.   Other facts: The chassis is 29 percent stiffer in torsion than before, and a new head-up display is available as an option, now presenting a greater amount of information in ultra-clear resolution. Moreover, the 650i Convertible has a standard rearview camera integrated in the trunklid under the BMW &amp;quot;roundel&amp;quot; badge. When the camera is activated, the roundel badge pivots up to expose the lens.   Pretty nifty, just like the rest of this technology-packed new BMW. No prices have been announced. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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