I have a confession to make. When I climbed into this car I didn't know what the powerplant was, except that it was a 2-litre. You're right, I should be drummed out of the Guild of Motoring Writers (though I'd have to join it first). Even after I'd fired the Z4 up and driven 15 miles, I was still wondering, and if I'd had to put money on it, I'd have said a baby straight-six. It really is that smooth, with a decent amount of torque and a proper BMW growl when extended. And it's not that daft a notion, because the 2.2, which is the next rung up the Z4 ladder, is a six.

But a humble four-pot it is, albeit one with VANOS and Valvetronic, the BMW systems that constantly adjust valve timing and lift respectively. Power and torque figures aren't spectacular, but there's a nice spread of power and a pleasing top-end zing to the delivery. It's no hardship to row it along with the standard six-speed manual box.

OK, it would be nice to have a bit more grunt. Even with the Dynamic Stability Control switched off and the throttle slammed into the carpet, there's barely enough to break traction. But adapt a more 'grown-up' driving style and the Z4 flows along nicely enough, with bags of grip from the 225/50 R16 Bridgestone Potenzas. If only there was a bit more connection with the road; it never quite feels as keyed-in as it obviously is.

The cabin's a bit bare and plasticky, but hey, this is an entry-level sports car. You don't even get a powered roof (you have to pay an extra ΂£710 for the SE version if you want that) but I could easily live without it. What I would like, though, is to trade a little of the grip for a little more feel, and tease out rather more of the engine's growl. Then I reckon it'd be an entry-level, Brit-engined cracker.