2012 BMW 650i Convertible: First Drive

2012 BMW 650i Convertible

So, summer's hit full swing. Temperatures are reaching the 100s and above and there's no end to the heatwave in sight, that is, until September or October arrive. So, if you're the business type with millions of dollars at your disposal and you're looking into a comfortable and fast sports car, what do you do? Well, luckily for you, I'm here to help, with a little something from BMW.

Car Meets Art

I'm probably one of the youngest ever to test drive a $100,000 convertible, and fortunately for the company and myself, that's never happening again. Anyway, this is the 650i Convertible, a redesigned, re-shaped, sports convertible for those who love just spending money and driving something relaxing. I got my first look into it at Open Road BMW in Edison. Even in the pictures you see here, you can tell that BMW has done a very good job with it. It, quite frankly, looks absolutely fantastic. What's even better is that it doesn't use as much fuel as the old 650i. The old one had a 4.8-liter 360 horsepower V8 that inhaled fuel ever quarter-inch. This one uses a much smaller 4.4-liter 400 horsepower Twin-Turbo V8 engine from the new 7-Series sedan. And, since it's a smaller engine with more power, it won't need as much fuel as the big 4.8, however I would advise you to bring a $100 bill if you're buying gas with this car, just in case. It will do 0 to 60 in 4.8 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 155 MPH. Now, you would imagine a big V8 like this one would sound like something out of a Chevy Camaro SS or, more relatively, the BMW M3 since it uses a non-turbo version of the same V8. But, strangely, it doesn't! It actually sounds like a Ferrari weirdly. I guess it's because the car features two turbos and a Ferrari sized engine.

Just Glorious

As a driver's car, this thing is fantastic. BMW has really spent some time working with the suspension and body to make this car as comfortable as anything. With the top down, this car is exciting. If you're a man, this is the perfect car to take your girly-friend out for a drive. As for technology, it borrows some from the Range Rover. For example, the new Range Rover line (including the Evoque) have cameras all around the car so that the driver can see if he's close to hitting a rock when he's off-roading. The 650i has this same system, only it's a bit different. There are two cameras on each side of the front bumper, a camera on each side mirror, and the traditional rear-view camera hidden behind the BMW badge at the back. Inside the car, you press a button allowing you to see what's coming out on each side of the road in the event that you're in a blind intersection. What's next? A car that uses cruise control, line radars, and bumper radars so that it basically drive itself? Yeah, I believe Mercedes is already working on that.

Glistening in the Sun

So, it handles well, it rides comfortable, has technology from the future, and looks beautiful. Any car with all these features must be quite expensive: and it is. The base price of this car stands at $90,500. The one I drove was available for $108,650. So, if you're a businessman or businesswoman, and like to get to places in a hurry, comfortably, and with the top down, the 650i Convertible is the car for you. Unfortunately, this is my last test drive of the summer, but don't worry. My next test drive: the new Ford Mustang GT 5.0.

The Prince of the Top Gear Test Track

2012 McLaren MP4-12C

You guys remember that rumor of the McLaren going almost a second faster than the king of the Top Gear test track, the Ariel Atom 500 V8? Well, it's not true. But, don't count McLaren out for a second. It might not be faster than an Atom 500 or more exciting than its rival, the 458 Italia. But, it's more comfortable, more scientific, more powerful, and, in a straight line, faster than both of them. On the track, new STIG took the MP4-12C and set a valid time of 1:16.2, just 1.1 seconds more than the Atom 500. So it really isn't an Atom Smasher as I've described it before. But, it is a Ferrari killer as it was proved to run almost 3 seconds faster than it. Well done McLaren. Anyway, the other exciting things that happened on Top Gear...

2011 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 3-Door

...James does some proper Rovering in the new Rover Evoque...

Sebastien Vettel and The STIG

...the X1 Xpert, Sebastien Vettel, breaks more records in the Reasonably Priced Liana...

Hamster and Jezza in the Countryside

...and Richard and Jezza spend some time talking to elderly people, all here on Top Gear.

Watch the episode below and tell me what you think of it.

No More Manuals

2011 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni (Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit)

Take a good virtual look at it, cuz this is the last Lamborghini you'll ever see with a manual stick. Motor Trend recently sat down with Lamborghini's R&D Director Maurizio Reggiani and he told them that the manual stick doesn't seem to fit the future of Lamborghini.

"Basically, we want our cars to be fast, and the best way to deliver this is to remove the human element from the gearchange equation." - Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini R&D Director

The Gallardo's replacement, the Cabrera, is expected next year and will only be available with a 6 or 7-speed E-Gear similarly used in the Aventador LP700-4. So, with Lamborghini officially out of the manual business, does this mean the end for the hairy-chested stick shift? Not yet, at least that's what Porsche thinks. 

Porsche's 7-Speed Manual Stick

This is their new 7-Speed manual stick which will be available in the new 2013 Porsche 911 (991). They still believe the stick is alive, but that's just them. BMW's new M5 F10 will have a 6-speed stick as an option, but they'd prefer if customers bought it with the new 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. Whatever the case may be, it seems that science has overtaken raw power when it comes to gearshifts and speed.

Ubisoft Makes a Racing Game?

1978 Lamborghini Countach LP400S

You've probably seen trailers and gameplay videos involving this particular creation from Ubisoft and Reflections Studios, but I'm gonna tell you about this game anyway. Driver: San Francisco is a massive free-roam driving game where you play as the protagonist, Detective John Tanner, who does whatever it takes to takedown the antagonist, Jericho, for putting a bullet through his body. With Tanner under an induced coma, we travel to his head where we try to solve the mystery behind Jericho and his escape from prison. As you might've already guessed, the game takes place in San Francisco. But, it's not your normal Midtown Madness 2, Test Drive Overdrive, Need For Speed: The Run San Francisco. We're talking about the real San Francisco: all 208 miles of it. From the back alleys, to the staircase roads, to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge: it's all there. And to make things much better, Ubisoft and Reflections provide you with 120 fully licensed vehicles from all around the world, including, my favorite, the Aston Martin Rapide, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, the Pagani Zonda Cinque, even the Lamborghini Countach LP400S that you see above you. I think this game is going to be the racing game of the year, and here's why. Need For Speed: The Run looks beautiful with lots of cars and action to keep you on your toes. But, you can't cruise around in the cities by yourself and I don't think there are any "just the car" races since you now have to do some stuff on foot. It's just one big movie that needs you to operate the controls. Driver: San Francisco on the other hand, is like a movie. But, instead of having some on foot gameplay, most of the stuff you do is in a car. Also, you have all 208 miles of San Francisco to yourself, so you can do just about anything there. With 120 licensed vehicles at your disposal, combined with real-world driving physics, beautiful vehicle damage, and the ability to shift from one car to another, you'll have an endless amount of fun switching between a Lamborghini and a Maserati in order to catch a culprit. I think this racing game is a must buy, even though I haven't played it yet. Anyway, more news on the game coming soon.

P.S.: Did I mention that they have the new Land Rover Range Rover Sport Supercharged in the game as well? And since the graphics and detailing of the cars are exquisite, expect the Rover to look virtually beautiful. So excited!!!

Back in Black

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series

First there was the CLK63 AMG Black Series, which Jeremy Clarkson liked very much. Then, the crater-smashing SL65 AMG Black Series came along, which Jeremy liked as well, except for its ride and price. Now, there's this: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series, and this is as good as it gets. Will Jezza like this one? Well, rumor has it that the car produces 517 horsepower out of its updated 6.2-liter AMG V8 engine. It also will do 0 to 60 in, say, 4.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 190 MPH. So, it has more power than the CLK63, accelerates almost as fast as the SL65, but, as for top speed, it's right in the middle. As you may recall, Jezza drove the standard C63 AMG Sedan in Spain while comparing it to the BMW M3 E92 and the Audi RS4. That car came in second. Now, with this new Black-ified version of the AMG coupe, it's rivals include the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Audi RS5, and, once again, the BMW M3 E92. Will it do better? Let's find out.

Last Sunday on Top Gear...

2012 Aston Martin Virage

James refines the Sports Car in the new Aston Martin....

Jeremy Clarkson and Bernie Ecclestone

...Jezza attempts to impress Master Ecclestone in the DS3 Racing Hatch...

2011 Fiat 500C Abarth

...Richard Squeals like a mouse in the Fiat 500C Abarth...

Ross Noble

...and Ross Noble tries to make the Reasonably Priced Car a bit funny. So far, I can't find all parts to the episode, but when I do find it, I'll upload it right away!

Update: I Found It!!

Camaro Automation

2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 (Courtesy of Camaro5.com)

A friend once said to me "Automatic transmissions are for tools", and, I hate to say it, but I agree with her. I am one for the Dual-Clutch transmission because it's faster, more powerful, and more fuel efficient than the manual stick, but let's be honest. Automatic transmissions are for the chickens who don't know how to drive a stick shift. So, if you are a real tool, you should be pleased to here that Chevy's most powerful Camaro to date, the ZL1 will be offering an automatic transmission, and here's a picture of the first one. Be warned though! The ZL1 with a manual stick will do 197 to 200 MPH, while the automatic will be stuck at a miserable 190 MPH. Not to mention the manual is less expensive than the automatic. But, whichever one you choose, you still get the King of Camaros. This kingship includes a 6.2-liter LSA Supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower, about as much as the CTS-V. It will do 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds (~ 3.9 seconds with the automatic) with the heart and soul of a true American Muscle. The ZL1 is slated for production start on New Year's Day next year.

The Teenage TransHelper

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

You see this? This is a rather beautiful Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series. This was one of Jeremy Clarkson's favorite cars because of the power, the balance, and the looks. This could even be the official Teenage Transporter car if we can help out. You see, Claudia Hefner, the owner of the car, was recently divorced with her daughter sick in the hospital. Now, she's throwing away all of her husband's belongings. She read my blog and thought maybe I can help purchase this rather magnificent Merc. She wants to sell it to me for $19,993 and she wants me to act fast. I really want to help, because she wants to use the money for the car to save her daughter who has come down with some disease in which she can't describe. We gotta help her out! If we can, I promise I'll provide something extra special for everyone! Maybe a free upcoming racing game? Or some Mercedes-Benz swag from Mercedes-Benz themselves? Anything! We just need to help her out! Please press the yellow button on the top and donate! She will be very grateful!

Zagato Greatness

2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato Concept

It seems that the V12 Zagato has attracted some aspiring Aston Martin fans. Of course, Aston Martin intended for this car to be a Nürburgring Endurance racer, in which it was. Both cars that ran during the 24 Hour event managed to finish without faults. Aston Martin was very pleased with this that they've decided to create 150 examples, each for £330,000. This will make it twice as much as the DBS, and almost three times as much as the V12 Vantage, even though all three have the same 6.0-liter 510 horsepower V12 engine. As a matter of fact, with the correct conversions, you might have one here in America for $500,000. That's quite expensive for an Italian V12 Vantage, so let's see how this plays out.

Pièce de Résistance

2012 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc

The Veyron hardtop maybe gone, but they Veyron glass top is still with us. And, to show that the Grand Sport keeps the tradition, elegance, speed, and science of the hardtop Veyron, Bugatti recently unveiled this artistic Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc. Basically it's the Veyron Grand Sport with some porcelain bits on it since it was built in conjunction with Germany's Köngliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin). So it's got some Porcelain on the exterior, interior, wheels, and filler caps. Who cares? It's still got the brilliant 8.0-liter Quad-Turbocharged 1001 horsepower W16 engine that will do 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds and hit a top speed of...you guessed it...252 MPH. The only difference is that the body looks like a reflective mass thanks to the strange Vinyl work. Anyway, if you have $2.37 Million and want a seriously fast car with some porcelain on it, then there you are: the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L 'Or Blanc (or GLOB as Top Gear calls it). Oh, and did I mention that this is a one-off? There's bound to be someone crazy enough to buy it.