If you've driven BMWs in the past, then the layout of switchgear will naturally fall to hand. In typical BMW 'form-follows-function' design, drive related buttons are found on the left of the steering wheel, and comfort related buttons are found on the right. At night, all gauges and buttons glow amber so as not to compromise your night vision - a nod to fighter jet cockpit design. Also a nod to the fighter jet is a bright and height-adjustable HUD or "Heads Up Display" which can show information ranging from low fuel warnings, to step-by-step instructions from the navigation system.
Once inside, strapped in, and ready to go - the real character of this car can finally be released. Press the dash mounted "Start/Stop" button and you'll hear the twin-turbo V8 unit politely clear its throat and settle into a baritone - if slightly muted - idle. Bop the center console-mounted gear selector into drive and with royal grace the ZF sourced 8-speed automatic will smoothly accelerate the car away from a standstill.
With the soft top still covering us, I was shocked by the measure of poise and quite comfort this car can offer. The interior is nearly silent - it's quieter inside this cabriolet than in most hard top sedans. Spooky almost, particularly considering that this is a soft top - not a modern hard top convertible. While we're on that note, it should be mentioned that the soft top adds a lot of character and charm to the 650i Cabrio. The soft top is a throw back to sexy and exotic convertibles or yore. The way the rear buttresses span down the rear deck is nothing short of sexy, and a touch Italian. And by Italian, I mean Ferrari'esque.
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