Magic of motoring is alive with the M3

The most famous M is perhaps the one who features in the James Bond novels and films. But this M has a different kind of power, one that comes not by giving orders but taking them when the foot touches the accelerator – or brake for that matter.

That's right, I'm talking about BMW's M, but the M3 rather than the M5 mid-size saloon or M6 coupé that draws my attention more than the head of the secret service.

The car has been in the market for more than 20 years but thanks to various revamps along the way – it is now in its fourth generation – continues to be a success and draw admiring glances wherever it goes.

In line with other models in the BMW range, it sticks to the traditional numbering system, adding the all-important M for motorsport – just in case anyone was in any doubt of its power.

Traditionally the M3 has a smaller engine than other models in the 3-series but it is more powerful and responsive with better handling and suspension. But the Emirates Business test drive car broke that rule as it came with a four-litre V8 engine delivering 420bhp. It's the kind of power that left me glued to the seat when I eventually found a quiet road to open it up. It's so much fun to drive I found myself going on needless journeys just to make the most of it before it went back to the garage.

The feeling of being close to the ground added to the secret spy feeling – being able to nip in and out of traffic or round corners effortlessly without others getting in the way.

A chunkier and slightly stiffer steering wheel than many other cars gave increased response and made me feel more in control as it didn't spin round with gusto after a quick flick of the little finger. On the outside the latest 2009 M3 GmbH model, which is also the most popular one in the range, has been given a new rear end, while inside iDrive technology has been installed. But one of the elements I loved the most was the seatbelt mechanics. An arm pops out from both driver and passenger side bringing the seatbelts with them to save you reaching back to grab it. It's a simple idea but one of the quirks that make the drive just that little bit easier.

As it's a regular feature on most mid- to top-end cars, the M3 comes with a double clutch gearbox complete with tiptronic controls, which are stiffer than most but feel solid – something that permeates through the rest of the vehicle. The gearstick itself works differently than many automatics in that its movements are more akin to a manual transmission. Instead of the commands being in a straight line, reverse is top left, while drive is middle right – one or two flicks determines automatic or manual mode.

Strangely, there is no "park" mode. It comes with the traditional handbrake but I spent a while moving the gearstick looking for park only to give up and leave it in neutral. However, I discovered once the handbrake is on and engine off there is no need to worry about the car rolling off once you leave it as the facility engages automatically.

Everything about the car comes down to ease and comfort. The start/stop button has been a feature of BMWs for a few years but what makes this different from other manufacturers is the need to also insert a key rather than it being able to pick up a remote signal.

The iDrive GPS system is also impressive and very easy to use. A new trend seems to be emerging where all display controls are managed by one dial and it is the same here. A small menu button is located in the central panel to bring up such choices as entertainment and navigation but after that everything comes down to the large silver disc above it. Here, street names on the GPS can be easily spelled and routes calculated with distances, while it can also switch between manual changes and programmed radio stations. It's very sleek but my instinct was to touch the screen to make changes, rather than do so at seat level.

Another coup the German manufacturer has pulled off is that it is the first to offer in-car internet, but sensibly it is only mobilised when the car is stationary. The function is also available in the M5 and M6.

Perhaps borrowed from BMW's acquisition, the Mini, the M3 coupé test car was two-tone. Normally it's not something I go for but the black roof on top of a white body works well – it's just a shame this class wasn't carried through inside. I wanted to see sophisticated grey leather, but instead I got burnt orange. Enough said.

The car is more than capable of anything you demand of it, but one of the few downsides is its fuel consumption. I was regularly using more than 17 litres per 100km – the official figure is 12.4 litres – so I could almost watch the fuel gage running down on long journeys.

Another problem is visibility so the parking sensors – even if a touch over keen at times – did come in handy yet I found myself checking my blind spot more than once before moving as I struggled to see out of both back-seat windows.

These, however, are not enough to put me off as there are far more good points than bad and I got used to them after a couple of days.

BMW has produced another great car, but it does not come cheap at Dh345,000. The company might have called it M for motorsport, but I'd rather think of it as mighty and a car that definitely makes my motoring wishlist.


The rivals

AUDI A5

Inside it looks like other new Audi models. But it's the outside and performance that makes the A5 particularly appealing.

MERCEDES CLK COUPE

Mercedes sticks to its traditional classy routes and although the entry-level 2.0 is sound, the CLK's handling is not great.

VOLVO C70

Although it's a convertible, the C70 still has a hard roof and the sporty feel makes for a smooth drive.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.