#02#Back in the mid '90s the BMW marketing people had something of a spin out and agreed to the concept of a fairly outlandish coupé version of the Z3 roadster. Armed with the contemporary M3 Evo engine and a slightly out of date chassis the Z3 offered some major old school thrills. As a package it was the answer to a question that nobody had asked, but has since gone down as a cult car worshipped by a band of hugely loyal owners. It was somewhat inevitable that the Z4 roadster would sire an equivalent offspring, and here it is.

As you can see from the pictures it is equally as unique as its predecessor. The Z3 M certainly looked individual but was by no means a pretty car. The Z4 M addresses this and is one of the more successful 'flame-surfaced' BMWs. The long bonnet flows naturally into a double-bubbled roof, sculpted flanks and rounded haunches. The basic Z4 roadster design has stood up to the transition well and, to our eyes at least, the Coupé is stunning. Bystanders seemed to agree, with the Z4 M drawing many admiring glances and double takes.

From the inside, that long bonnet can make manoeuvring tricky at first; indeed the Z4 is the only car driven in recent memory that I didn't set at the minimum seat height for that reason. The chairs themselves are comfortable and supportive. Interior space is fine for two with adequate (if not generous) storage between the seats and courtesy of reasonably-sized door pockets and arm rest cubbies. Head room is generous and, although it can feel a little dark, the cabin is quite airy. Boot space is decent as well. #p##02# In my view, the Z4 dash hasn't aged as well as the external looks, testament to the rate of change of progress in interior design over the last few years. It's a little bland for such a special car, though maybe I'm just not getting the whole minimalist chic thing. It isn't bad; it just isn't as good as it should be in a £40k sports car.

In common with the previous version of the Z Coupé sold in the European mainland the new Z4 will be offered with two engine choices, the 3-litre straight-six and the M-power 3.2-litre six-cylinder lifted straight from the M3, as tested here. Both engines are great and amongst our favourites, but it is that legendary, soon to be retired, M-power unit that always gets our pulses racing.

Tucked far back in the nose of the Z4 Coupé it does sterling service. The same 343bhp available in the M3 is on tap here with an even naughtier soundtrack. Reacquainting yourself with this engine after an extended period of absence is almost intimidating. The immediacy of the throttle response, the savage power and the vicious noise all soon remind you of what has been missing from your life, but actually takes some time to get used to again.

Once you do get tuned in you can begin to appreciate the chassis's dynamics. Needless to say the grip levels afforded by the generously proportioned rubber at each corner are high; high enough to be almost unbreachable in most dry weather driving, and cross country progress is rapid as a consequence. Brakes are strong and feelsome, although our test car did hint at some slight fade on our most testing routes. Smooth road handling is balanced and neutral if less stable than an M3 where the Z4 M sometimes hints at a little nervousness.

Things take a marked turn for the worse on bumpier road surfaces, as the very stiff suspension struggles to deal with the irregularities being thrown at it. This can limit real world performance, as body control and ultimate damping aren't up to the rigours of some of the more uneven UK roads. However, on the right road the Z4 M is an involving and stimulating steed. #p##01# The BMW Z4 M Coupé lines up against the Porsche Cayman S in what is a confrontation of contrasts. The Cayman is a well resolved, rounded and complete package. It is the connoisseur's choice of the minute offering a well-honed and refined experience. The Z4 M feels almost unfinished in comparison. Infinitely rawer and nowhere near as cosseting, it takes a completely different approach to providing thrills; the driving requires such focus and concentration.

In some ways this intense experience is preferable to the Cayman's but it is very much down to individual choice. It would seem a reasonable assumption that most Z4 Coupé owners would have access to other cars, more so than buyers of the Porsche. As a GT it is limited in terms of space and range, but as a thrilling sports car it can deliver in spades, in the right conditions.

Overall, we were slightly disappointed at the Z4 M Coupé. With the passing of the previous generation 3 Series, BMW lacks a junior performance flagship and the Z4 M is charged with providing the adrenaline, at least until the new M3 arrives next year. It can do this, but not in a way that will have mass market appeal.

That's not to say that buyers won't like it; they will accept all of its foibles and limitations as a fair exchange for the noise, the performance and the looks. It's a car that you buy on its terms and make no apologies for it. The Cayman S is a better all-rounder, but for some it may just be too polished. The BMW Z4 M is the antidote to that and as such is desirable in a very different way. #p##03#

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BMW Z4 UK range overview

Z4 Roadster:

- BMW Z4 2.0i SE: £23,655
- BMW Z4 2.5i SE: £25,675
- BMW Z4 2.5si SE: £28,390
- BMW Z4 3.0si SE: £32,765
- BMW Z4 2.0i Sport: £26,240
- BMW Z4 2.5i Sport: £28,260
- BMW Z4 2.5si Sport: £30,750
- BMW Z4 3.0si Sport: £34,195 - BMW Z4 M Roadster: £42,795

Z4 Coupé

- BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si SE: £31,400
- BMW Z4 Coupé 3.0si Sport: £32,925
- BMW Z4 M Coupé: £41,285