BMW M Roadster – Driving Impressions: It's a cool summer evening, the sun slowly sinks in the western sky and the wind wisps around my thoughts as the plan to dodge rush-hour traffic and make a late-day run on my favorite mountain road has finally come to fruition. Traffic is light, almost non-existent, when I mash the 2006 BMW M Roadster's throttle and realize this ain't no sissy car as 330 horses pull me toward the first turn. Brush and trees alongside the road blur into a multicolored collage, the wind whips my neck and the M's engine growl echoes off the weathered hillsides. The BMW rips by a sign designating 30 mph as the ideal speed for the turn but I approach at twice that velocity. At turn-in the M Roadster takes a set and clips the apex, exiting like a runaway freight train careening downhill with nothing to impede its way. A few more turns dial my courage up even more and I realize the M Roadster's capabilities are higher than can be safely navigated on public roads, but what a rush.

The 2006 BMW M Roadster is a car born for traveling mountain and canyon roads. The 330-horsepower, 262 lb.-ft of torque, and six-speed manual transmission work together with the fluidity of synchronized swimmers to propel the two-seater up and down any road you can throw in its path. Backing up the power are staggered 18-inch wheels and low profile tires that are eight inches wide up front and nine inches wide at the rear, stability control, traction control, ABS, an M sport-tuned suspension, and a plethora of other performance tweaks at your disposal. Designers didn't just boost the horsepower and slap an M badge on the Z4 roadster. The BMW M Roadster gets an all-new front fascia with recessed vertical slats that are painted black along with larger ducting to keep the bigger brakes and more powerful engine cool. Designers also added discreet hood lines that flow up the hood toward the driver giving the M Roadster a more muscular look. At the rear, the M Roadster gets a diffuser, an optional spoiler, and cutouts for the dual exhaust tips as well as an M badge for people to ponder as you blow past.

Inside, the 2006 BMW M Roadster is void of the dreaded iDrive system; hallelujah! Nothing but a basic leather and aluminum-trimmed interior was on our test car, although you can also choose between carbon leather and a more elegant walnut madeira wood to replace the metal trim on the dash. BMW chose to keep the M Roadster simple and for that we applaud them. Optional equipment for the M Roadster includes auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors, eight-way power seats with driver's seat memory, cruise control, a premium sound system, an interior storage package, BMW assist telematics, metallic paint, an M rear spoiler, interior trim options, heated seats, and a navigation system.

Despite the ability to upgrade the M Roadster with luxurious amenities, this sports car isn't for everyone and the faint of heart need not apply. The M Roadster is a serious driving tool aimed directly at enthusiasts who like to push the limits of the road as well as their driving skills, and desire a car that can meet any challenge thrown its way.