Despite such challenges, the wider contact patch at the rear ensures traction is maintained diligently on smooth tarmac when under load, and in the wet. Part of this is down to the modern Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres, but the electronics again provide a layer of reliable trust: you could confidently send the throttle pedal to the bulkhead and let the DSC handle things.

But doing so would deny you the immediacy of the throttle response and the way it feels like you can meter out each individual horsepower. There’s a sport button switching this response from linear to binary. My preference is for the standard mode as this feels more natural, better suiting my driving style of feeding in the power rather than stamping on the schnell pedal.

The tractability of the S54 is deeply impressive. Starting from the lower rungs of the rev range, the torque builds smoothly, rising to its 269lb-ft peak at 4,900rpm, but at this point the engine lights its afterburners. The rapidly rotating needle blurs as it shoots towards the red line, delivering 338bhp just shy of the limiter. While there’s ample torque to lean on below 4,000rpm, the S54 revels in the latter half of its rev range. As with all German cars designed with Autobahn use in mind, the gearing is relatively long, with 62mph arriving in second, and third geared to 106. However, the power-to-weight ratio of 226bhp/tonne makes short work of sprinting through the ratios.

The gearbox itself is unique to the model, as the Getrag unit from the M3 wouldn’t fit within the tighter confines of the Z4 M’s chassis. The six-speed ‘box was instead sourced from ZF, yet the feel of the stubby shifter and the firm clutch pedal could only be found in a BMW, rewarding deliberate, firm inputs across the gate.

Making swift cross-country progress is what this car was born to do, with a truly scintillating soundtrack egging you on. While there’s four exhaust outlets on the rear bumper, it sounds like a fifth could be lurking underneath the dashboard, such is the proximity of the manifold to the bulkhead. It can be a quiet and refined environment at a cruise, but with full power called upon, the cabin becomes an amphitheatre hosting a straight-six orchestra. In stark contrast to the programmed – and often synthesised – pops from the exhaust systems of new performance cars, the cracks on overrun are unpredictable and a pleasant surprise when they present themselves.

However, the Z4 M is about as authentic as it gets with its mechanical feedback - even the elements that leave room on the table for improvement. The brakes bite like a piranha, but the discs and pads are in need of replacement, and the force distribution feels uneven if an axle gets the slightest bit light. Likewise the lowered suspension can cause your passenger to experience sea sickness on dry land, but with a wheel to hold onto there are no such feelings of queasiness in the drivers’ seat.