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Back-to-back over the holidays I drove the $100,000 BMW 650i xDrive Coupe and $19,000 Fiat 500 Sport two-door, one of the most unlikely pairings to imagine.

The photo for last week’s column of the Bimmer in the snow was a teaser; today we discuss specifics. The little Fiat brings up the rear of today’s space, for a similar 500 was reviewed in full last July.

The addition of all-wheel drive to the BMW 650i for 2012 is a major development, of particular benefit in the mountain country, and mixes well with the coupe’s ultra-smooth performance from a new V-8 engine and 8-speed transmission.

Drive it in any type of weather. Tested on a snow-covered, twisting gravel road, it displayed more stability, with little body roll, than the previous rear-drive 650. Though the AWD system’s added weight cuts into its fuel efficiency, the overall performance remains superb.

The new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 develops 400 horsepower and 450 lbs.-ft. of torque, a jump of 40 hp and 90 lbs.-ft. torque over last year’s 4.8-liter V-8. Paddle-shifters add control for the new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year’s 6-speed automatic. A 6-speed manual is available.

A bonus is lower-gear mastery of inexact terrain through use of the paddle shifters by the driver, while 7th and 8th speeds in automatic mode lend smooth and comfortable cruising at highway speeds. The power comes at a price; I averaged 19.3 miles per gallon overall.

The 2012 model is sleek and low, 3 inches longer than last year’s 650, yet the rear-seating space remains so tight as to be near unusable by adults. Legroom is absent.

The ivory white stitched leather instrument panel sweeps around the passenger space and into the center console, where the shifter, iDrive, audio, air conditioning and air vents are angled toward the driver. Adding ambiance is oak wood trim. Overhead, a large sunroof tilts open. Refinement of the iDrive’s navigation/audio system and the driving dynamics control have for several years concentrated on ease of operation.

Even the iDrive controller, tied to the large 10.2-inch navigation/audio/info display screen, is relatively easy to understand and use. Pat Leonard, who delivered the 650i to me at Christmastime, reminded me of a delivery to me in downtown Denver 10 years ago of the 2002 BMW 745i and of the fact that I was a bit put off by a suggestion that I receive a 15-minute course on how to operate the vehicle. That was my introduction to BMW’s innovative iDrive, and I admitted that I may not have gotten the sedan out of the parking lot without the instruction.

Camera lenses outside the car provide not only a rear view when backing, but also side views and, with aid of a computer, a view from the top. It is a part of a driver assistance package which helped boost sticker price from a base of $86,000 to $100,825. Among other options are heated steering wheel, lane-departure warning, M sport package, 20-inch wheels and premium hi-fi system.

’12 Fiat 500 Sport in ‘cute, small’ form

“Cute” is the word used most often in descriptive discussion of the stylish little Fiat 500, sized between a smart car and a Mini Cooper. We drove the Sport two-door hatchback version of the 500 last week, six months after reviewing the 500C, a convertible.

With a 90-inch wheelbase and 55-inch track, the 500 can be turned around in an alleyway. Turning circle is only 30 feet.

Its high roofline creates ease for stepping into and departing, and, once inside, its high seating position and well-cushioned seats lend comfort. Rear seating is tight for adults.

The retro dash, finished in red as is the exterior, features a large, round speedometer, and also uses circles for radio knobs, shifter knob, air outlets and air/heat controls.

A small Blue & Me TomTom navigation system, developed in The Netherlands, is centered in a small display screen mounted atop the dash. Among its features is a speed warning, in which the tiny frame displaying speed turns red at 5 miles over the posted limit.

A 5-speed manual transmission provided adequate acceleration from the 101-horsepower, 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, boosted some by a Sport mode which quickens throttle response. Overall average fuel mileage was 32.8 miles per gallon. The 500 will top 36 on a straight highway cruise.
Base price of the 2012 Fiat Sport is $17,500; the review model carried a sticker price of $19,500.

Though Fiat is based in Italy and sold here by Chrysler, the 500 model is built at a Chrysler/Fiat plant at Toluca, Mexico.

2012 BMW 650i xDrive

$100,825

(price as tested)

MPG City 15 Highway 20

Vehicle type: Premium performance coupe

Wheelbase: 112.4 inches

Length/Width/Height: 192.8/74.6/53.9 inches

Weight: 4,387 pounds

Engine: 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Fuel mileage: 19.3 mpg

Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons

Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles basic

Competitors: Mercedes-Benz CL550, Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Carrera, Jaguar XKR

Built at: Dingolfing, Germany

Parts content: Germany 85 percent, U.S./Canadian 5 percent

THE STICKER

$86,000 base

$4,400 Exterior enhancement, active roll stabilization

$3,300 Automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, blind-spot, side and top-view cameras

$1,800 Satellite radio, hi-fi, iPod and USB adaptors

$1,500 Leather instrument panel

$1,300 20-inch wheels, LED fog lights

$750 Heated steering wheel and front seats

$875 Destination

PLUSES

AWD addition

Beautiful interior

Handling

MINUSES

Rear-seat space

Cramped entry, egress

Fuel mileage