There is something of the brute about the new BMW 650i Sport Coupé, a menacing beast with the crouching poise of a tiger about to stamp on the first person to give it a sideways glance. You're right to be afraid. Approach with caution. This is the ultimate big boy's toy - an agile and breathtaking 155mph heavyweight with raw style.Its arrival comes as something of a surprise. There was nothing wrong with the "old" 645i Coupe and its wonderful V8 heart churning out 333bhp and towering torque. But BMW clearly thought it was not enough. A little more than 18 months after its launch it has made way for an even more serious high-performance grand tourer.The 650i Sport Coupé and its 650i Sport Convertible sister partner the standard 650i Coupé and Convertible in the new line-up. Prices have risen by £1665 compared to the 645i models. The new 650i Sports add equipment and cost £1850 more than the standard car. Sport specification pushes the price of the standard Coupé from £52,115 to £53,965 while the Convertible rises from £57,515 to £59,365 in Sport trim.All four models share the same basic power plant, a superbly powerful 4799cc V8 which delivers 367bhp at 6300rpm and 361lb/ft at 4900rpm. The Sport specification adds unique 19" alloys, a leather-trimmed M steering wheel, sports seats, anthracite headlining, high-gloss shadow line exterior trim and birch wood interior trim.Sport trim is a matter of personal choice. If it was my money I'd forgo the dubious benefits of the Sport moniker and its go-faster goodies and spend the savings on a pair of electrically-adjustable sports seats at £610 and a £1450 six-speed automatic transmission. While dyed-in-the-wool performance drivers might yearn for the close-ratioed manual six-speed, there's no denying the appeal of the auto box, which is one the best in a car of this type. Changes are smooth and seamless with a slick sequential mode for those times when you feel the need to help the 650i along.Taking as much of the Coupé's towering performance as I dared proved how well-sorted the 6-Series chassis really is. It absorbed massive power transfers without complaint while the sports seats gripped my thighs and lower back. Cabin comfort is excellent and despite Chris Bangle's controversial styling input the dash and interior finish works well.The traction system tames the rear wheels with ease and there was no problem sweeping through tight twisty country roads. Massive brake discs suck off speed and there's a constant feeling that the car is firmly attached to the road.Power up the V8 and the exhaust howl is almost hypnotic. The twin exhaust pipes deliver their combustion gases to the atmosphere with a muted slapping bark. It's a curious sound with a deep soft edge guaranteed to lift the hairs on the back of any motorhead's skull. If I had music with my 650i it would have to be Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries - but that would have masked the exhaust note so I just had to hum it under my breath.Hit the Sport button and the car hunkers down into serious mode - throttle response intensifies, the suspension stiffens and the automatic gearbox reverts to a five-speeder. By locking out sixth gear, all of the 650i's power is directed towards performance. It is blisteringly quick.From rest to 62mph takes 5.4 seconds while the more important 50-75mph overtaking slot is closed in an impressive 4.9 seconds. All the time the big Coupé feels solid, its power unleashed like a gargantuan elastic band, its handling unruffled and its grip as tenacious as a leech.If there was a fault on my test car it was with BMW's Active Steering option. The makers claim it is a safety enhancement - I'm not convinced. I feel the system robs driver feedback from every BMW I've tried with Active Steering. It uses planetary gears in the steering column to vary the steering ratio.In theory that means less steering effort at low speeds and more weight at higher speeds. In practice it made the steering on my 650i feel dead at speed, over-servoed and lacking feedback. Don't be tempted - save your £850 and spend it on petrol!The 650i Coupé may be upstaged by the new 500bhp V10-powered M6, but it's a formidable grand tourer nonetheless. In fact I'd go further. I think the 650i Coupe is as near perfection as you can get if you are looking for a combination of quality, handling, power and comfort. Engine 4799 cc, 8 cylinders Power 367 bhp @6300 rpm Torque 361 ib/ft @3400 rpm Transmission 6 speed semi-auto Fuel/CO2 25.4 mpg / 267 g/km Acceleration 0-62mph: 4.6sec Top speed 155 mph Price From £59614.00 approx Release date 12/09/2005
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