Powered initially by a 4.4-litre V8, for the 2006 model year the 270 kW engine from the 7 Series was transplanted into the 6 Series to provide the 650i in Coupé and Convertible guises.

Now, mid-way through the model life of these models comes a subtle refreshing of the exterior with enhanced cosmetics and a raft of technological updates.

The 270 kW 4.8-litre VALVETRONIC V8 engine in the 650i Coupé is unchanged fundamentally, yet picks up detail improvements that cuts the 0-100 km sprint time from 5.5 seconds to 5.2 seconds.

Performance in the new 650i Convertible continues to be on the exhilarating side of impressive, with acceleration from rest to 100 km/h now achieved in 5.6 seconds, compared with 5.8 seconds previously.

“The BMW 6 Series is the epitome of luxury and style in a high-performance sporting package,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia.

“The 650i Coupé and Convertible will appeal to successful entrepreneurs who want to enjoy the finest in V8 power, sumptuous luxury and state-of the art technological features,” he said.

The new 650i Coupé and Convertible also benefits from a newly developed six-speed sports automatic transmission, paddles on the steering wheel and a sports button, which when selected provides the driver with faster gearshifts, optimised throttle mapping as well as adjusted control map for the Servotronic power steering.

The standard specification level for both vehicles has been further enhanced with the addition of Comfort Access, Soft Close automatic doors, cruise control with brake function, as well as USB/audio interface.

New options include a Lane Change Warning System, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Premium sound system and Variable Light Distribution Technology (subject to final government approval).

Since the 6 Series went on sale in March 2004, more than 80,000 Coupé and Convertible models have been built for worldwide markets.

In the three and a half years since its launch, the current generation 6-Series has sold almost as many as the previous generation (86,216) over its 13 year life span.

Australian deliveries amount to 689 units since 2004 (to the end of November 2007), with 62 percent being Coupé and 38 percent Convertible.