“You’ll know when you feel that 4.4-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission!” said Gary Gordon, general manager of Fields BMW of Lakeland, with child-like enthusiasm when asked about why our test car, a 2012 BMW 650i Convertible, stood out among its peers. He had a point. The new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and eight-speed transmission are part of the most expansive redesign of the BMW 6-Series since it was first introduced for 2004. The new engine replaces the 4.8-liter V-8 and produces 40 more horsepower while decreasing fuel consumption by nearly nine percent.

We slap the transmission lever to the left to turn on a manual mode with gearshifts via paddles in perfect reach of our fingertips from behind the steering wheel. The engine revs quite quickly, but it’s the car’s lack of hysteria even when being pushed hard that fails to drawn our attention to the impending redline. Luckily, the automatic nature of the transmission pops in to select the next gear. The car’s new 4.4-liter V-8 and eight-speed automatic transmission join forces to offer effortless acceleration, accompanied with a slightly muted burble designed to inspire but not intrude.

Follow the jump for more on the 2012 BMW 650i Convertible.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY