Seat Time is a chance for us to share our impressions of vehicles being tested in the Autoline Garage and at media previews from around the globe.

Reviewer: Seamus McElroy
Vehicle: 2016 BMW 650i Coupe
Price: $91,500 (as tested)

Final Impression:

Once upon a time BMW used to make airplane engines. But even though the company doesn’t make those anymore, when you’re behind the wheel of the 650i Coupe it feels like you’re in a jet plane.

That’s because there’s a monster 4.4L turbo V8 under the hood that’s mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. And as you can imagine it makes this rear-wheel drive car extremely powerful. The set-up cranks out 445 horsepower and you’re instantly thrown into the back of the seat when you stomp on the accelerator. That’s because this thing can do 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.5 seconds. But even though the car is made for speed, the ride is very smooth and refined thanks to the transmission and suspension.

Fuel economy isn’t great but it’s not terrible either. It’s rated at 17 MPG in the city and 25 on the highway, so you’ll average around 20 MPG depending on how you drive it. But if you’re buying this car, fuel economy is likely the least of your concerns. And speaking of fuel economy, unlike other BMW’s, especially past models, the start/stop system is very smooth and isn’t jarring when the engine kicks back on.

But the powertrain isn’t the only thing that makes you feel like you’re in a cockpit of a plane. Inside, the gauges and center stack are oriented toward the driver and the driver and passenger being separated by a large center console. But it’s still a luxurious interior, thanks to all the leather and other soft touch points.

Overall, I really liked the 650i Coupe. It’s got a great sleek design and it’s an absolute blast to drive, especially when you have the road to yourself. But at the end of the day, this is just a toy for someone wealthy enough to afford its $91,500 price tag.