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    Behind The Wheel Of BMW’s 2016 650i Gran Coupé

    48.1351° N, 11.5820° E

    "A Balance Between Performance And Luxury"

    Long-wheelbased vehicles are making quite the comeback, thanks to the impending releases of the Lincoln’s Continental, Cadillac’s CT6, and BMW’s own 7 Series. Despite all the grandioseness, their large proportions can be overwhelming to drive, some would feel more comfortable being driven in a vehicle of that size. Fortunately, there many options to consider when it comes to finding a car that offers the same level of luxury and performance that is all packed into the right dimensions. Case and point, BMW’s 2016 650i Gran Coupé.

    The 6-series we drove was delivered in handsome matte grey, a colour that is rarely seen on a BMW. It almost disguised (in a good way) the make of the car. On the road, we were asked by curious bystanders, “excuse me, what car is that?”

    The four-door Gran Coupé is slightly longer than the two-door Coupe, while the swooping roofline and low stance plays well to its performance oriented engine. Moreover, the additional doors were carefully designed to compliment the overall shape of the Gran Coupé, instead of taking away from it. Our 650i was powered by a 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V-8 that amounts to 445-horsepower with 480-lbs ft of torque. This allows the car to achieve a 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. The lag on the turbo is almost non-existant from a rolling start and once it reaches its threshold, you are in for an exciting few seconds, until you remember that there are speed limits.

    There are also five driving modes that provide the driver with a different driving experience, which ranges from the most efficient but dull, ECOPRO, to COMFORT+, COMFORT, SPORT, and finally, SPORT+, which puts BMW’s engineering prowess in full display. This is where you will feel the steering tighten up and the dynamic suspension system will work in overtime to ensure the 650i executes. You may at times feel like the only way to drive this car is in the fast lane, we also think this is a car you drive slow to be seen in.

    The M Sport Edition package adds an extra edge to the Gran Coupé’s aesthetic because of an aerodynamic body kit and light alloy double spoke wheels that is available in 19 or 20-inches. The inside sees a M Steering Wheel that is designed with the perfect amount of thickness. There is also a futuristic Heads-Up-Display that helps the driver keep their eyes on the road. Meanwhile, a Bang & Olufsen sound system delivers satisfying audio and helps accentuate the growl of the M Sport exhaust system. Another elegant touch is the bi-colour cognac/black Nappa leather interior that looks great against the matted out exterior. The driver also sits comfortably with 20-way power front Multi-contour seat with 4-way lumbar support. You can literally shape the seat according to your unique specifications and restore it back to your liking when someone else takes the wheel.

    BMW’s iDrive 5.0 system that is displayed through a crystal clear 10.1-inch screen is intuitive and easy to navigate. The control wheel provides instant feedback and you can draw numbers/letters without losing focus on the road. Also improved are the voice commands and the size of the split-screen view.

    Learn more about the 2016 650i Gran Coupé on BMW.

    Words & Photography: Jon Carlo Tapia

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