Legendary M Power blended with that purist roadster feeling - this is what the BMW M roadster has to offer. A car which is the pinnacle of the BMW roadster range.

The new BMW M roadster offers ultimate performance and the ultimate roadster experience only possible with a truly extreme driving machine. The 24-valve six-cylinder M power unit which develops a maximum output of 236kW is already very well known from the BMW M3. This outstanding engine ensures, in conjunction with low weight of just 1430 kg, a level of performance that only one word can describe: shattering. Acceleration to 100 km/h is in a mere 5.4 seconds, and seemingly never-ending muscle propels this new M car consistently all the way to 250 km/h, where the electronic speed limiter is activated.

The outstanding power and performance alone clearly underlines the unique position of this very special car built by BMW M GmbH. The new M roadster is the perfect car for the extroverted performance gourmet and for the sports driver not prepared to make the slightest compromise.

Even at very first sight, the M roadster does not even try to conceal its purpose - it simply exudes power, performance and even brute force. In its exterior design, it differs clearly from the Z3 1.9 through its body widened at the rear by no less than 85mm as well as extra large and strong bumpers. It is also distinguished from the Z3 2.8 by its new front spoiler and modified rear end design.

The new front end of the M roadster not only looks even more muscular than on the existing Z3 models, but also offers a perfect combination of design, projection of power, and function. Ensuring a good flow of air for the radiator, significant down forces on the modified front axle, and an efficient flow of air to the rear axle beneath the floor of the car were important criteria in designing the front spoiler.

The tail end of this exceptional car is dominated styling-wise by four extra-large tailpipes made of polished stainless steel. Together with the new bumper - the rear numberplate now positioned higher up on the luggage compartment lid - this gives the M roadster a particularly muscular, dynamic appearance.

"Consistency all round" is how you might describe the body and styling of the M roadster in general, a whole range of styling features on this thrilling car having received extra special treatment. Special touches include the ellipsoid design of the M door mirrors, a similarly styled interior mirror, the stylish chrome finish on the side intakes and the new luggage compartment lock.

The power of the car is also displayed at first sight by the newly styled cast light-alloy wheels in M RoadStar design, a special paintwork finish giving the wheels an even more powerful, unique and exclusive look. Measuring 7 J x 17 at the front and 9 J x 17 at the rear, the rims come together with equally unique, generously dimensioned 225/45 ZR 17 tyres at the front and 245/40 ZR 17 tyres at the rear.

The M roadster is without a spare wheel. The special design of the rims prevents the tyre from breaking loose in the event of a puncture, and in the extremely rare case of an emergency the driver, using BMW's new M Mobility System, a mini-compressor plus rapid sealant, is able to make it to the nearest service station.

Inside, the M roadster also stands out clearly in its unique ambience from its "smaller brothers". On the one hand there is a refined colour scheme accentuating the classic and sophisticated style of the interior tailored to the driver and his passenger and truly deserving the name "cockpit". On the other hand, three analogue-face circular dials displaying the time, outside and oil temperature in the wide centre console emanate that typical roadster feeling reminiscent of years and even decades of BMW tradition in roadster motoring, with legendary cars such as the 328 and 507.

Newly designed leather sports seats pleasantly cocoon the driver and passenger, and the new M sports steering wheel complete with full-sized airbag is just perfect for rapid, nimble action. The wider range of leather trimming and the partly coloured dashboard generate a sporting and elegant impression throughout. Clearly, this is the kind of professional "workplace" in which you will enjoy covering hundreds of kilometres, where motoring becomes pure pleasure.

Like on all other BMW roadsters, the soft roof of the M roadster can be fastened and unfastened easily and conveniently on the upper windscreen frame by two rapid-action catches. BMW M GmbH has included electrohydraulic operation of the roof as a standard feature on the M roadster.

The full-sized luggage compartment, even though it houses the battery, offers a capacity of no less than 165 litres and is fully lined.

Starting the M Power engine already well known - and lauded the world over from the BMW M3, brings this machine to life. With maximum output of 236 kW from 3.2 litres and unladen weight of just 1350 kg, this superior 24- valve six-cylinder offers a unique power-to-weight ratio of 4.2 kg.

The engine comes with map-controlled, infinitely variable camshaft adjustment (VANOS) with separate high pressure oil supply. Six mechanically operated individual throttle butterflies take in the fuel required, an intricate system of equally long pipes forming the exhaust manifold discharging emissions from the engine.

One of the most powerful normal aspiration engines in the world in terms of output per litre, this classic four-valve unit exceeds the magic limit of 100 bhp per litre. Maximum torque of no less than 350 Nm comes at just 3250 rpm. No need to emphasise, therefore, that the driver of the M roadster has supreme power at his or her fingertips at all times and at all engine speeds.

The result of these impressive specifications is the kind of muscle only to be found with a thoroughbred sports car starting at just over 2000 rpm, as well as outstanding free-revving flexibility all the way up to 7600 rpm. The sound effect accompanying this power and performance is ensured by the intake "hiss" and the exhaust "boom" exclusive to a BMW six-cylinder from BMW M GmbH.

Thanks to the smooth-shifting five-speed manual gearbox, changing gears is the same pure pleasure - the perfectly arranged shift lever proudly bearing the M symbol on top becomes a genuine "joy stick" for a truly unique experience on the road.

In particular, however, the new M roadster ensures traditional sports car qualities through its first class suspension. The very direct and sensitive steering consistently informs the driver of road conditions and lateral forces acting on the car, offering him the feeling of supreme active safety.

While being firm and taut to give the driver the direct response and information he needs, the suspension of the M roadster is intentionally miles apart from the brutal harshness of many roadster legends of days gone by. Up front, the M roadster features a single-joint spring strut axle with track control arms and McPherson spring struts, the semi-trailing arm rear axle is a proven design now reconfigured for the extra power of the M roadster.

The M brake system on BMW's most powerful roadster is also far above normal specifications. As on the current M3, the front axle comes with compound discs, a friction ring running in floating arrangement on an extra-light aluminium support, while the rear brake discs are innervented the conventional way. The brake force and stopping power thus provided by the system, with virtually no fading even in extreme situations, are matched by only a handful of cars the world over.