The new 6 series comes closer to the look of the original 6.

Ever since the relaunch of BMW's big coupe, the 2003 6 series, fans of the brand had to cover their eyes when walking around the rear of the car. It lacked the sharklike style of the original 6 series, produced from the late '70s all the way through the '80s.

But the 2012 650i, just revealed in new photos from BMW, shows a car with a deemphasized trunk lip, not an exact return to the original style, but a much less offensive design. With its gracefully sloping rear roofline, you can actually say that this car looks good.

Given BMW's high-tech engineering, it should certainly be an impressive driver. Under the hood is a twin-turbo direct-injection 4.4-liter V-8, an engine that pumps out a frightening amount of torque, 450 pound-feet at a mere 1,750rpm. Horsepower is rated at 400.

And although the car's eight-speed automatic transmission should help it turn in acceptable fuel economy, the available six-speed manual will make driving fans salivate.

BMW's high-tech suspension includes automatic damping control, adjustable between Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+ settings. And optional technology includes active roll control and BMW's active steering, which actually steers the rear axle, along with the front.

The cabin gets an optional Bang & Olufsen audio system, the first time BMW has worked with the Danish audio brand. This system features 16 speakers and Bang & Olufsen's acoustic lens technology.

Click here for photos of the new 650i.