Make no mistake, this thing is a beast in a straight line. It hooks up with the launch control enabled, providing mountains of grip, and sending the M4 roaring forward like a caged animal.

The result is that the M4 feels alert, agile and responsive. There is so much grip across the front axle ... but the hollering straight-six noise that comes out the back overwhelms everything.

There is a huge amount of grip, but the fact that ... And so fast, the M4. In-gear acceleration from the 503bhp, 479lb ft 3-litre twin-turbo straight-six is laugh-out-loud instant.