Here's the latest chapter in the ongoing BMW Z3 story: It's called the M Roadster. And it's real speed reading.

First there was the Z3. It's gorgeous, but with just 138 horsepower from its 1.9-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, it's a bit too tepid for serious sports car enthusiasts.

BMW followed up last year with the Z3 2.8. Its 189-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine pretty much silenced the power pundits, but it was overshadowed by the new Porsche Boxster.