While there aren’t a lot of all-wheel-drive convertibles on the market, BMW is now offering its high-end 6 Series luxury coupe and convertible with its xDrive system. So you can ski in the morning in St Moritz, when it's snowing, then run down to Nice for dinner, and drop the top along the way. Ciao Bella, indeed.
The 2012 BMW 6 Series, in both the coupe and convertible, can now be fitted with the intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive system. Both models come with the same 4.4-liter, 400-hp V8 engine but xDrive makes for better traction and stability. This system also makes the car heavier and a bit slower, but you'll just have to learn to live with 0-60 in 4.7 seconds.
As for the pricing, the BMW 650i has a base price of $86,000, which seems like a bargain when you factor in everything you get, including Voice Command, Onboard Navigation System with Traffic Alerts, Climate Zone Ventilation, Sirius satellite radio, iPod and USB Adaptor, Bang and Olufsen Surround Sound System and BMW Apps. In addition, there's Adaptive LED Headlights, Lane Departure Warning, BMW Assist with Bluetooth technology, Full Color Heads-Up Display and Night Vision.
As the xDrive option adds only $3,000 to a BMW 650i Coupe, and increases the safety factor about 100 percent in inclement weather, can you afford NOT to have it?—Paul Duchene
